Phivolcs warns: Ulysses may trigger lahar around Taal, Mayon, Pinatubo

Fisherman in a bamboo raft approaches the fish pens covered with water lilies near the shore of Daang Kastila in Taal Volcano Island on the morning of October 20, 2020, in Laurel Batangas. Seen at the back is still the ash-covered landscape of Taal Volcano.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday warned that lahar or destructive mudflow around Mayon, Taal, and Pinatubo is highly possible as typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) threatens Luzon.

“Ang DOST (Department of Science and Technology)-Phivolcs ay nagpalabas ng lahar advisory upang pag-ingatan ang mga ilog sa paligid ng Mayon Volcano sa kadahilanang marami pang mga loose o malambot na mga abo at bato na pwedeng anurin ng malalakas na ulan at meron din pang pwedeng ma-erode or makayod sa gilid or ilalami ng mga ilog,” Phivolcs director Dr. Renato Solidum said during a press briefing organized by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

(The DOST-Phivolcs has issued a lahar advisory warning areas surrounding Mayon Volcano as there are loose or soft ash and rocks that may be carried away due to heavy rains, and there are some that may erode below rivers in the area.)

Mayon Volcano, the Philippines’ most active volcano, is located in Albay. Its last activity was a series of outbursts in January-March 2018.

As for Mt. Pinatubo, which is located in the tripoint boundary of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga, Solidum warned that rains due to Ulysses may wash pyroclastic materials left in the volcano’s crater down to its surrounding areas. Mt. Pinatubo last erupted in 1991.

Solidum then talked about Taal, saying: “[Nung] January naman, nagkaroon ng pagbagsak ng abo sa matatarik na dalisdis sa mga ilang bayan ng Agoncillo at Laurel [sa Batangas] na pwedeng maianod kapag malakas ang ulan na magkaroon ng baha na maputik.”

(In January, there was ashfall from steep slopes in the towns of Agoncillo and Laurel. The ash may be carried away due to heavy rains and may cause mudflow.)

Taal Volcano, which is located in Batangas, belched steam, ash, and small rocks in January of this year.

“Ito pong mga lugar ay pinag-iingat natin at ang mga local government ay dapat magsagawa ng mga aksyon para mas maging ligtas ang ating mga kababayan,” he warned.

(Residents in these areas should be careful and local governments must take actions to ensure the people’s safety.)

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 is currently hoisted over Metro Manila and other Luzon provinces as Ulysses is expected to dump rain over these areas.

Based on Pagasa’s forecast, Ulysses is set to make landfall over Polilio Islands and mainland Quezon between Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.

KGA