Smog sa Metro Manila walang kinalaman sa bulkang Taal – PHIVOLCS

MANILA, Philippines – Walang kinalaman ang smog na bumabalot sa malaking bahagi ng Metro Manila sa aktibidad mula sa bulkang Taal.

Ito ang nilinaw ng PHIVOLCS nitong Biyernes, Setyembre 22, kung saan ang volcanic smog o vog umano ay kumikilos patungong west-southwest mula sa Taal, “so [it is] not going toward Metro Manila.”

“The vog was over areas on the western side of Taal Volcano,” ayon pa sa Phivolcs.

Batay sa vog advisory nitong Huwebes ng hapon, ang volcanic smog ay nararanasan na sa Taal Region mula pa noong unang linggo ng Setyembre.

“Phivolcs reminds the public that Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano, which means that it is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity,” dagdag pa ng ahensya.

Sa pahayag, sinabi ng Environmental Management Bureau na sa kanilang real-time quality monitoring tools, “indicate heightened alert in some parts of Metro Manila, due primarily attributed to emissions from heavy vehicular traffic, especially during rush hour.”

“Air quality varies in time and places and can change anytime depending on pollution sources and meteorological factors. DENR-EMB will continue to monitor air quality,” saad sa pahayag.

Para naman sa PAGASA, ang panahon ngayon sa Metro Manila, Calabarzon at ilang bahagi ng Central Luzon ay, “conducive for haze or smog formation.”

“This occurs when very small particles get trapped close to the surface due to the presence of a thermal inversion, high humidity, and calm wind conditions.”

Inilarawan ito ng PAGASA bilang “thermal inversion” na nangyayari kung ang layer ng atmosphere, “do not mix, causing aerosols to get trapped.”

“Usually, the inversion disappears later in the day as heat from the sun allows the mixing of the air, allowing the aerosols to disperse. However, cloudy conditions may reduce surface heating, allowing the haze to persist.”

Samantala, patuloy na minomonitor ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD) sa Calabarzon ang posibilidad na pagtaas pa ng sulfur emission ng bulkang Taal. RNT/JGC