Living near a volcano means always keeping one eye on the horizon.
For thousands of residents on Negros Island in the Philippines, that vigilance turned into urgency after Kanlaon erupted on December 9, sending a massive ash cloud over 13,000 feet into the sky.
Now, with signs of further volcanic activity, officials are taking no chances, according to Digi24.
The government has ordered a full evacuation of all residents within a six-kilometer (3.7-mile) danger zone around the volcano.
The deadline? Monday.
45,000 people already evacuated
Local authorities are scrambling to move the remaining residents to safety, as Kanlaon continues to rumble.
Raul Fernandez, head of civil defense for the region, stressed the importance of the evacuation.
Despite warnings, some people are hesitant to leave their homes, refusing to abandon their belongings and livestock. But officials warn that staying behind could put lives at serious risk.
As of Friday, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos announced that more than 45,000 people had already been evacuated. The government aims to relocate a total of 84,000 residents, clearing the area entirely.
Kanlaon, located on the border of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental provinces, is one of the country’s most active volcanoes.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has reported increasing earthquakes and gas emissions from the volcano.
These signs point to the possibility of another eruption, which could be even more dangerous.
The eruption earlier this month left no injuries but served as a stark reminder of Kanlaon’s destructive potential.
In June, the volcano had another minor eruption, and its activity now seems to be escalating. PHIVOLCS has monitoring teams on high alert, ready to provide updates as the situation unfolds.
The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
While the people of Negros Island are no strangers to these risks, evacuating thousands of people is always a race against time.
