Experts from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology (PHIVOLCS) in Manila have allayed fears of an overflow from Twin Lakes in Negros Oriental.
They said the craters’ walls of Twin Lakes in Balinsasayao in Sibulan and San Jose are still high for any possible spill over.
The experts’ inspection followed apprehensions of massive flooding in the lowlands of Sibulan, San Jose , Amlan and even Dumaguete City and Bacong in case the walls should collapse.
Dr. Arturo Daag, chief of the geology division of PHIVOLCS in Manila, submitted a report in an exit conference with Gov. Degamo.
Daag said minor landslides along the road leading to Twin Lakes were caused by Tropical Storm Sendong which dumped rains last Dec 17 in Dumaguete and nearby areas.
He said the landslides were not caused by the earthquake that struck the province.
He said the free board of the craters’ wall is still so high and is not at a spilling level.
Even with the heavy rains from Sendong, the water level of Twin Lakes may have increased a little but this is slowly returning to normal.
Earlier, former Environment Sec. Angel Alcala identified two critical areas as priority for geo-hazard mapping.
These are the Cuernos de Negros, which is an active volcano, and the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes.
Alcala said faults are in these areas which may rupture the lakes’ walls.
