Phivolcs warns of lahar in areas surrounding Mayon

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned of possible lahar or mudflow in areas surrounding Mayon Volcano due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

In an advisory, Phivolcs said Paeng was expected to bring torrential rains over the Bicol Region and may generate volcanic sediment flows, muddy stream flows or muddy run-off in rivers and drainage areas of the volcano.

As of noon yesterday, the agency said it has not monitored any lahar incident in its seismic stations but warned that lahar could follow in smaller streams surrounding Mayon following heavy rainfall.

“Prolonged and heavy rainfall may generate non-eruption lahars along river/stream channels draining the Mayon edifice. These rains could generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, muddy streamflows or muddy run-off in rivers and drainage areas of Mayon Volcano,” the Phivolcs advisory read in part.

It also specified that lahar and sediment-laden streamflows might occur along the Miisi, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matan-ag and Basud, Bantayan Channels in Albay province.

Communities along the middle and lower slopes and downstream of these channels may be threatened with inundation, burial or wash out due to lahar.

The agency urged communities and local government units to be vigilant and take preemptive response measures for their safety.

“Phivolcs thus strongly recommends increased vigilance and readiness of communities in pre-determined zones of lahar and related hazards on this volcano,” it added.