Lahar flow feared around Mayon Volcano as Karding triggers rains

(FILE) Mayon Volcano (PHOTO BY MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN / INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON)

LIGAO CITY — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned of possible lahar flow from from Mayon Volcano in Albay province as Super Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) brought incessant rains in Bicol region.

“Residents living in valleys and active river channels are cautioned to remain vigilant against sediment-laden streamflows and lahars in the event of prolonged and heavy rainfall,” Paul Karson Alanis, resident volcanologist based in Legazpi City, told Inquirer in a chat message on Sunday, Sept. 25.

Mount Mayon, an active volcano, remains at alert level 1.

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In Guinobatan town, Mayor Paul Chino Garcia have alerted the village chiefs and residents living at the slopes of the volcano for possible evacuation if the weather condition worsens.

“Actually, the areas are at risk considering they used to experience lahar flow during heavy downpour,” Garcia said.

He said the town government will also conduct excavation of river channels to avoid the cascading of volcanic debris towards the villages.

“The river channels are already silted and it must be dredged very soon in order not to create new routes that will directly lead to residential areas, particularly the [towards the] villagers of San Francisco, San Rafael and San Francisco, ” he stressed.

As of 2 p.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was hoisted over the Northern portion of Camarines Sur (Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, Sipocot, Libmanan, Pamplona, Pasacao, San Fernando, Pili, Minalabac, Ocampo, Tigaon, Cabusao, Magarao, Gainza, Canaman, Camaligan, Milaor, Bombon, Calabanga, Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Presentacion, Caramoan and Sagñay) while the rest of Camarines Sur (Baao, Balatan, Bato, Bula, Buhi, Iriga City, and Nabua) were under Signal No. 1.

/MUF