Phivolcs issues lahar warning in Mt. Mayon as Paeng threatens Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday evening issued a lahar advisory for areas around Mayon Volcano as Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) threatened to make landfall in Bicol.

Paeng has already brought heavy rains over the Bicol region as it crosses Luzon.

Prolonged rains may trigger volcanic sediment flows or lahar along Mayon Volcano’s channels including Miisi, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matan-ag, Basud, and Batanyan, according to Phivolcs.

“[Phivolcs] strongly advises the communities and local government units of the above identified areas of risks to continually monitor the typhoon conditions and take pre-emptive response measures for their safety from ‘Paeng,’” according to the institute.

As of 9 p.m. Friday,  at least 24,123 residents (6,052 families) in Albay have been pre-emptively evacuated in anticipation of the effects of the storm, according to the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (Apsemo).

Most evacuees were in Tabaco City, where 5,349 have been displaced, and in Legazpi City, where 4,933 were evacuated.

In Malilipot town, over 3,000 were evacuated, while over 2,000 residents also sought shelter in the towns of Guinobatan and Camalig.

There were also evacuees in Ligao City, and in the towns of Tiwi, Bacacay, Sto. Domingo, Manito, Daraga, Rapu-Rapu, and Polangui.

Apsemo released Thursday its preparedness plan for threats brought by Mayon Volcano, especially in areas within the 6-kilometer danger zone.

—WITH A REPORT FROM MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN

READ: Over 33,000 Bicol residents evacuate due to Paeng