Albay gov’t orders early dismissal of work due to flooding threat
Albay Map. INQUIRER FILES
LEGAZPI CITY — The provincial government of Albay ordered an early dismissal of work in all government agencies on Friday due to continuous heavy rain that could cause severe flooding and landslides.
Gov. Baby Glenda Bongao announced that employees could leave work at 3:30 p.m., except those working in banks, hospitals, disaster operations, and emergency management services.
Bongao also encouraged private-sector employers to suspend work.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised an orange rainfall warning over the province, indicating a high risk of flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
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Classes at all levels in public and private schools have been suspended in most towns and cities in the province since Thursday.
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By Friday afternoon, some houses in Barangay Cagbulacao in Bacacay town were already submerged in floodwaters.
In Legazpi City, residents were advised not to cross the Buyoan-Matanag Dike in Barangay Buyoan due to the high water level and strong currents.
In Libon town, a portion of the road in Barangay Bulusan was also impassable for motorcycles and small vehicles due to flooding.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned of possible lahar and muddy streamflows in rivers and drainage areas along the slopes of Mayon Volcano.
Phivolcs said intense rainfall could mobilize loose materials from remnant pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits from the January to March 2018 and June to December 2023 eruptions.
The bulk of erodible PDC deposits were largely accumulated in the gullies of Mi-isi in Daraga town; Mabinit, Buyuan, and Bonga in Legazpi City; and Basud in Sto. Domingo.
The agency also warned nearby villages in these areas to remain alert for possible lahar flows.
