Floods displace Kanlaon residents

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Aside from the increased activity of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island, floods spawned by the southwest monsoon have threatened communities near the volcano.

Up to 212 families composed of 667 people responded to a call for preemptive evacuation of Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.

These families are living near the four-kilometer-radius danger zone of the volcano, which continued to emit elevated concentrations of sulfur dioxide.

Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria said people in evacuation centers are at risk of contracting respiratory diseases due to the foul odor of sulfur dioxide emitted by the volcano.

Authorities distributed hygiene kits and face masks to evacuees.

Meanwhile, the monsoon has displaced up to 2,182 families composed of 7,182 people in 76 barangays in the southern part of Negros as of Saturday.

Classes are suspended today in nine areas in Negros Occidental.

The Philippine Coast Guard suspended sea travel in Cebu, Negros and Panay due to a gale warning.