MANILA — Philippine authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of residents living near the Mayon volcano on Friday following a “moderately explosive” eruption that sent a plume of ash three kilometers into the sky. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the eruption began at 11:53 a.m. local time (03:53 GMT) and lasted approximately six minutes. The event produced a dense ash cloud that rose 3,000 meters above the summit crater. According to the agency’s latest bulletin, ashfall is expected in the municipalities of Daraga, Camalig, and Guinobatan, as well as other nearby areas in Albay province, located in the southeastern part of Luzon island. Phivolcs has raised the alert level to 3 on a five-level scale, indicating that the volcano has entered a “new phase of magmatic eruption.” The agency warned of an increased risk of a hazardous eruption and the potential for lava flows to descend the volcano’s slopes in the coming days or weeks. In response to the heightened alert, the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) issued an order for the mandatory evacuation of all residents living within a six-kilometer radius of the crater. The directive, signed by the provincial governor, also mandated the suspension of classes at all educational levels, both public and private, until further notice. To enforce safety protocols, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces have been tasked with securing the perimeter to prevent unauthorized access to the danger zone, where all activities remain prohibited. Phivolcs has advised the public to remain vigilant regarding potential lahars—avalanches of mud and volcanic material—that could affect rivers and streams surrounding the volcano. Additionally, aviation authorities have been cautioned against flying aircraft near the summit. The Mayon volcano is one of the most active in the Philippines, a country situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region characterized by intense seismic and volcanic activity.
Article source: El Nuevo Diario | Image credit: El Nuevo Diario