Mayon volcano, known for its breathtaking beauty and occasional fiery temperament, continues to show signs of unrest. (Contributed photos / Jay Carolino and Arren Christian Ventura)
MANILA, Philippines – The “danger zone” of Mayon volcano was extended to seven-kilometer radius, prompting the evacuation of the residents inside the area.
“All population inside the seven-kilometer extended danger zone is placed under PREPAREDNESS STATUS — meaning, evacuation will be executed anytime and should bring with their necessities in the evacuation center,” Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in an order signed by Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) placed Mayon under Alert Level 3 last Thursday due to “potential explosive activity happening within days or weeks.”
Alert Level 3 is when a volcano’s magma is near or at the surface, and its activity can lead to a hazardous eruption in weeks.
Under Alert Level 3, the danger zone can be expanded up to eight kilometers from the active crater, according to the metrics of state seismologists.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said a total of 14,376 people were evacuated.
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Mayon’s unrest leads to evacuation of over 14,000- NDRRMC
The entire province of Albay had been put under a state of calamity