By Nanette Guadalquiver
BACOLOD CITY – Authorities have called on residents of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, particularly those near waterways and low-lying areas, to remain alert following a mudflow that hit the highway in Barangay Biak-na-Bato near the foot of Mt. Kanlaon.
“Exercise heightened caution and remain vigilant for possible further flooding or lahar flows. Public safety remains a top priority,” the Office of Civil Defense 6 (Western Visayas) said in an advisory on Saturday.
According to the advisory, the highway in Sitio Tamburong in Barangay Biak-na-Bato has been rendered impassable due to overflowing floodwaters and mudflow after several days of heavy rains.
“This condition has been further aggravated by the accumulation of volcanic ash, resulting from ash emissions and several minor to moderate eruptions of Kanlaon Volcano since last year,” it added.
To ensure travel safety, the OCD advised motorists to take alternative routes and avoid the affected area.
Photos shared by netizens showed delivery trucks experiencing difficulty navigating through the heavy mudflow.
In a separate advisory, the La Castellana Incident Management Team said “due to heavy rains in Barangay Biak-na-Bato Friday night, stocked lahar flowed into the Tamburong Bridge from Kanlaon Volcano.”
“As a result, the Barangay Biak-na-Bato highway is temporarily not accessible to commuters,” it added.
At past noon Saturday, a clearing operation was underway along the affected highway.
Municipal information officer Remuel Seladan Lajo said affected commuters could pass via Barangay Cabacungan until the clearing works are completed.
The Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Red Cross, and other local government units are also providing assistance to the La Castellana municipal government, he added.
Kanlaon Volcano is still under alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest. (PNA)
