Taal Volcano Situation 2021: Status, What To Expect, How To Help, And More

Taal volcano rumbles anew, leaving many Filipinos in high-risk areas troubled. In this article, Tatler writes everything you need to know about the unfortunate event.

In the early months of 2020, Filipinos living in southern Luzon were already wearing their masks not because of COVID-19, but because Taal volcano erupted on 12 January 2020. This explosion, which the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) escalated to Alert Level 4, left many families hungry while animals and livelihoods were buried under bulk of ashes.

This year, the wrath of Taal resumes, giving many Filipinos another blow of terror. In its latest update, PHIVOLCS raised the activity of Taal to Alert Level 3 following a phreatomagmatic eruption. "The Taal generated a short-lived dark phreatomagmatic plume one kilometre high," the agency said.

In a briefing on Thursday, 1 July, Maria Antonia Bornas, chief of Phivolcs' Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, explained what a phreatomagmatic eruption is. "The magma and the water in the main crater lake interacted. The water was immediately converted into gas, in the form of water vapour. This conversion happened very quickly. Since the magma is extremely hot, the process created what is called a shockwave."

LEMERY, PHILIPPINES - JANUARY 13: Vehicles covered in volcanic ash from Taal Volcano's eruption are seen on January 13, 2020 in Lemery, Batangas province, Philippines. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level to four out of five, warning that a hazardous eruption could take place anytime, as Manila's international airport suspended flights and authorities began evacuating tens of thousands of people from the area. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Above LEMERY, PHILIPPINES - JANUARY 13: Vehicles covered in volcanic ash from Taal Volcano's eruption are seen on January 13, 2020 in Lemery, Batangas province, Philippines. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level to four out of five, warning that a hazardous eruption could take place anytime, as Manila's international airport suspended flights and authorities began evacuating tens of thousands of people from the area. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Why Did Taal Erupt?

Located in the province of Batangas, the Taal volcano is one of the Philippines' most active volcanoes. It has so a record of 34 eruptions, all of which were concentrated on Volcano Island near the middle of Taal Lake. Its nearby locations such as Manila, Tanauan, Lipa, and the municipalities of Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, Santa Teresita, San Nicolas, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Balete, and Mataasnakahoy are among the widely affected areas.

Because of Taal's proximity to populated places, it has been tagged as a Decade Volcano, worthy of close research in order to prevent future natural disasters.

What Is The Evacuation Status?

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), there are already 1,282 individuals or 317 families staying in evacuation centres as of Friday, 2 July; however, the number could reach 14,495 or 3,523 families due to the risk of Taal's on-going activity.

As of this writing, there are around 13 barangays in Batangas that were heavily affected by the explosion. These are Poblacion and Sinturisan in San Nicolas; Gulod, Buso Buso, Bugaan West, and Bugaan East in Laurel; Subic Ilaya, Banyaga, and Bilibinwang in Agoncillo; Apacay in Taal; Luyos and Boot in Tanauan City; and San Sebastian in Balete.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has announced that the Malacañang has allotted PHP1 million worth of food and PHP11 million worth of non-food items to aid residents affected by the eruption. "We are closely monitoring the situation in Taal after the phreatomagmatic eruptions that occurred in Taal Volcano," he said in a statement released to the press.

Below are emergency hotlines for people who are affected by the Taal eruption:

National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) hotlines
+632 8911 1406
+632 8912 2665
+632 8912 5668
+632 8911 1873

Philippine Red Cross Hotlines

143
+632 527 0000
+632 527 8385 to 95

How To Help? (Tatler will give timely updates under this subhead)

As the tragedy only happened this week, aid-giving foundations have yet to announce that they are seeking extra assistance for Taal. Please refresh this page for timely updates. In the meantime, you may help people in Taal by sharing credible information on your respective platforms.

LEMERY, PHILIPPINES - JANUARY 13: Residents walk along a road covered in volcanic ash from Taal Volcano's eruption on January 13, 2020 in Lemery, Batangas province, Philippines. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level to four out of five, warning that a hazardous eruption could take place anytime, as Manila's international airport suspended flights and authorities began evacuating tens of thousands of people from the area. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Above LEMERY, PHILIPPINES - JANUARY 13: Residents walk along a road covered in volcanic ash from Taal Volcano's eruption on January 13, 2020 in Lemery, Batangas province, Philippines. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level to four out of five, warning that a hazardous eruption could take place anytime, as Manila's international airport suspended flights and authorities began evacuating tens of thousands of people from the area. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

What To Expect?

In January last year, Taal which is only 70km south of central Manila, shot a column of ash and steam as high as 15 km. This forced people to evacuate their areas and leave their livelihood. Heavy ashfalls were also experienced in the Metro, causing cancellations in work-related matters, flights, and classes.

PHIVOLCS authorities have warned that this year's eruption could potentially be more hazardous than last year. "Phreatomagmatic is more dangerous because there's already an interaction with magma," the agency said.

In a statement, Manila Risk Reduction and Management Office (MRRMO) warned that the air quality index in the city “may be observed to be unhealthy”.

What Are The Safety Procedures?

Volcanic ash poses a number of health hazards; it is a natural respiratory and nasal irritant. People would be able to stay safe by staying indoors or wearing quality masks that block fragments of ash. The public is advised to wear an N95 mask during ash falls. The material is designed to achieve a very close facial fit that dodges airborne particles.

There are other substitutes to the N95; these are R95, which also helps people stay protected from oil fumes; surgical mask with two layers of tissue; and a makeshift fabric mask.

People should also keep their doors and windows closed to avoid ash infiltration. Glasses or goggles will come in handy depending on the surge of ashes.

If you are anywhere near Taal, pack an emergency bag that contains important documents, water, mask, light clothes, first aid kit, food, prescription medicine, and other necessities. Stay vigilant, listen to local news, and stand by for local advisories.

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Taal Taal Volcano 2021