Canlaon city: The local government unit (LGU) of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental is maintaining rigorous surveillance for potential lahar flows following the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, an official stated.

According to Philippines News Agency, Seth Bariga, Canlaon City information officer, said they are closely monitoring rivers and waterways, anticipating heavy rainfall that could trigger lahar flows. "We always anticipate lahar every time the volcano erupts, as there are sediments that have settled that could be eroded by rain," Bariga explained.

In response to the situation, the LGU suspended all classes in both public and private schools across Canlaon City on Friday. The decision on whether to resume classes on Monday will be based on recommendations from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO), Bariga added.

Phivolcs reported that Mt. Kanlaon experienced a minor explosive eruption on Thursday, resulting in pyroclastic density currents descending the southern and southwestern slopes from the crater. The eruption, which occurred at 4:39 p.m., lasted for two minutes and produced a dark gray plume that rose 200 meters above the summit crater before drifting southwest.

Bariga noted that Canlaon City did not encounter ashfall, unlike other areas situated on the Negros Occidental side. The LDRRMO has been instructed to evaluate areas susceptible to lahar, particularly the Inyawan River and the Padudusan Falls.

Communities located in lahar-prone areas have been advised to take precautionary measures and not to wait for an official evacuation announcement from the LGU, as residents have been trained to assess their situation independently.