Albay on alert for lahar, flashfloods; speeds up sandbagging

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—A volcanologist here warned of lahar flows and flashfloods in parts of Albay should Tropical Depression “Mina” bring heavy rainfall similar to that of Tropical Storm “Juaning,” which struck the Bicol region in July.

Disaster officials also told local authorities in four towns in Albay to speed up their sandbagging efforts as temporary measures against dams and dikes that were breached by Juaning.

Eduardo Laguerta of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Bicol said an aerial survey done last week with the Office of Civil Defense-Bicol and the Philippine Air Force showed blocked river channels and heavily silted spillways that could cause dangerous lahar flows.

He called on residents near the Padang River Channel in Barangay (village) Padang in Legazpi City, Nabonton Channel in Ligao City and spillway in Guinobatan town to be on alert at all times especially during heavy rains.

Meanwhile, Albay Governor Joey Salceda told local governments in the towns of Polangui, Malinao, Oas and Libon to speed up their sandbagging efforts since rehabilitation of destroyed dams and dikes in their areas could not be done overnight.

He said families and communities are of “heightened risk to casualties, injuries and loss of properties after Juaning destroyed almost 90 percent of river control.”

“The National Food Authority has already allocated 35,000 used sacks each for Oas, Libon and Polangui and 20,000 for Malinao,” said Salceda.

On Sunday, the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council placed the province under heightened alert and placed the province under a state of preparedness should Mina bring heavy rainfall.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Tuesday said Mina slightly gained strength after it was spotted 350 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center.

Mina was expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring scattered to widespread rains over Southern Luzon and Visayas, Pagasa said.