A SULFUROUS odor which lasted for almost 10 hours was smelled in portions of La Carlota City and La Castellana town, particularly those living near Mt. Kanlaon, starting 9 p.m. Wednesday.
The incident was confirmed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Negros Occidental Thursday.
Jay Jamelo, science research specialist I of Phivolcs Volcano Observatory, told Sun.Star Bacolod that on normal activity, the sulfurous odor is usually felt in areas near the crater or summit and unlikely to reach wider areas.
Jamelo said the stench is mainly attributed to the increase in steaming volume, which was possibly intensified by heavy rains on Wednesday.
“There might also be an ashfall, however, we have no evidence yet as there were no residues possibly because of the rain,” he noted.
Latest monitoring of Phivolcs showed that Mt. Kanlaon remained on Alert Level 1, which means it is still experiencing abnormal conditions and is in a period of unrest.
The volcanology agency recorded, within 24 hours starting Wednesday, one volcanic earthquake and weak to moderate steaming activity.
The last eruption was recorded on March 29, where Mt. Kanlaon spewed ashes from the crater which lasted around 12 minutes and was accompanied by a booming sound that was heard in some barangays of La Carlota City in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
“As long as the volcanic activities continue, Mt. Kanlaon will normally emit sulfurous odor,” Jamelo said.
Jamelo urged residents living near the volcano to take precautionary measures to prevent harmful effects of the odor like triggering asthma.
When sulfurous odor is smelled, elders, children and those who are asthmatic are advised to use masks or wet cloth as mouth and nose cover.
Phivolcs has already alerted the disaster risk reduction and management units of all surrounding localities to conduct massive information dissemination campaign to ensure the health and safety of the residents, Jamelo added.