Mt. Kanlaon erupts after Election Day

Metro Manila, Philippines - Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island had a "moderately explosive eruption" on early morning of Tuesday, May 13, with government volcanologists warning of a possible stronger eruption in the next days or weeks.

The five-minute eruption happened at 2:55 a.m. on Tuesday, producing a grayish voluminous plume as high as 4.5 kilometers, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Thin ashfall was reported in the villages of Cubay, San Miguel, Yubo, and Ara-al in La Carlota City; Ilijan and Binubuhan in Bago City; and Biak-na-Bato, Sag-ang, and Mansalanao in La Castellana, Phivolcs said.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said parameters showed the possibility of a stronger eruption.

Alert Level 3 is still up over the volcano, which "means hazardous eruption is possible in the next few days or few weeks," Bacolcol told government channel PTV.

Phivolcs recorded 180 volcanic earthquakes and a sulfur dioxide flux of 573 tons per day on Monday.

The agency advised communities within a six-kilometer radius from the summit crater to evacuate.