7 MCIA flights cancelled due to Kanlaon eruption

Local

KANLAON Volcano’s eruption Sunday evening, March 15, sent ash across Negros Island and nearby islands, forced multiple flight cancellations and delays at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

According to a MCIA representative, as of Monday, March 16, at least seven flights were cancelled following the eruption.

These included PR2863 Manila to Cebu, PR2864 Cebu to Manila, PR2857 Manila to Cebu, PR2858 Cebu to Manila (rescheduled to March 16), PR2869 Manila to Cebu, PR2880 Cebu to Manila, and JQ100 Cebu to Brisbane.

Several international flights were delayed, with airlines issuing new estimated times of arrival (ETA) and estimated times of departure (ETD).

Flights affected included 7C2167 Busan to Cebu (New ETA: Mar. 16, 19:30), 7C2168 Cebu to Busan (New ETD: Mar. 16, 02:00), OZ709 Incheon to Cebu (New ETA: Mar. 16, 10:01), and OZ710 Cebu to Incheon (New ETD: Mar. 16, 14:35).

Additional delays involved 7C2113 Incheon to Cebu (New ETA: Mar. 16, 23:30), 7C2114 Cebu to Incheon (New ETD: Mar. 16, 00:30), KE601 Incheon to Cebu (New ETA: Mar. 16, 12:37), and KE602 Cebu to Incheon (New ETD: Mar. 16, 13:55).

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Kanlaon had a moderately explosive eruption at 6:07 p.m., producing a five-kilometer-high ash column drifting southeast and northeast.

Two additional ash emission events followed, lasting from three minutes to 229 minutes.

Phivolcs noted that this was the third moderately explosive eruption recorded at Kanlaon this year, after similar events on February 19 and 26.

Monitoring from 12 a.m. on March 15 to 12 a.m. on March 16 recorded nine volcanic earthquakes, including two volcanic tremors, and sulfur dioxide emissions reached 1,085 tons.

Forest fires broke out on the volcano’s slopes after the eruption.

Ashfall affected 54 barangays in 10 local government units in Negros Occidental: Binalbagan, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, Isabela, San Carlos, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Pontevedra, and Ilog.

Phivolcs also reported ashfall in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

About 60 percent of La Castellana, including the town proper, was blanketed in ash, Mayor Añejo Nicor said.

As a precaution, Himamaylan City, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and Binalbagan suspended classes on Monday.

Additional ash was emitted at 10:31 p.m. Sunday.

Alert Level 2 remains in effect over Kanlaon, warning of possible sudden explosive eruptions.

Entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone is prohibited due to hazards such as ashfall, ballistic fragments, pyroclastic density currents, and volcanic gases.

Communities near rivers and streams draining the volcano were advised to remain vigilant during heavy rainfall when lahars may occur, while civil aviation authorities were warned against flying near the summit.

Canlaon City Mayor Jose “Batchuk” Cardenas reminded residents that all barangays were on alert and emergency response teams were ready.

Residents were advised to wear face masks or cover their nose and mouth with a wet cloth.(MyTVCebu)