Now Manila In Crisis: Volcano Spewed Ashes 14 Km In The Sky, Ashfall Turn Towns Into Deserts
A volcano Taal spewed ash up to nine miles 14 kilometres into the air on Sunday prompting warnings of a possible explosive eruption. Taal volcano is located about 37 miles 60 kilometres south of the capital Manila on the island of Luzon and it is one of the countrys most active. Meanwhile it is being reported that the prices of face masks have spiked.
Philippines is suddenly facing a dangerous crisis. Authorities have ordered a ¡®total evacuation¡¯ of nearly half a million people near the capital Manila, after a volcano, Taal, spewed ash up to nine miles (14 kilometres) into the air on Sunday prompting warnings of a possible "explosive eruption."
Ashfall meant that a huge area in Manila now stands covered in ash. There are also chances that the volcano might erupt anytime soon.
In the Philippines, Taal Volcano has errupted and it¡¯s now under alert #4, a warning that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible anytime. To my fellow PH oomfs, pls keep safe and if you¡¯re experiencing ashfall as well pls don¡¯t forget to wear a mask ??pic.twitter.com/sRbX7DvtRD
¡ª DADDEH ? (@vminggukx) January 12, 2020
Taal volcano is located about 37 miles (60 kilometres) south of the capital Manila on the island of Luzon and it is one of the country¡¯s most active. Images and videos of eruption are spine chilling: They show the sky and towns covered in ash and steam.
Avelino Mendoza
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert level to four which means an "explosive eruption" could happen in the coming hours or days. The highest alert level is five, which is used to indicate if the eruption takes place.
Even though the volcano itself is not very big, it is considered among the world¡¯s most dangerous as a lot of people live in its vicinity, according to Erik Klemetti, a volcanologist at Denison University.
WATCH: As the Taal Volcano in Batangas continues to spew ash Sunday, January 12, the ashfall reach the South Luzon Expressway
¡ª Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) January 12, 2020
For updates on #TaalEruption2020: https://t.co/QnFEn7Rc1H pic.twitter.com/AMHlUfItIv
Meanwhile, it is being reported that the prices of face masks have spiked.
Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said that her office has received complaints that N95 masks were being sold for P200, up from the previous P25 to P30 (Rs 35- 42) to P200 (Rs 280). She has ordered the city's permits bureau and licenses office to check retailers.
She said, ¡°Let's not use this time to take advantage of others. Let's remember, this is dangerous to the health. We don't want asthma patients to be rushed to the hospital just because they cannot find or afford masks.¡±
Meanwhile, images of towns and villages being deserted because of the volcano are doing the rounds online.
This picture was shared with the caption, ¡®Agoncillo town, the nearest area in the Taal crater lake turned into a ¡°desert¡± after the whole site was covered with gray ashes and coconut trees were almost flattened¡¯.