Mount Mayon spews ash over 2 Albay towns

Grayish smoke comes out of Mount Mayon leaning towards the southwest, bringing ashfall over Camalig and Guinobatan towns on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. (Photo by SHIENA M. BARRAMEDA / Inquirer Southern Luzon)

CAMALIG, Albay — Residents of the towns of Camalig and Guinobatan in Albay province experienced ashfall when Mouth Mayon had another phreatic eruption late afternoon Saturday.

Residents said the sky around the area of Mayon Volcano turned dark about 5 p.m., and then they smelled sulfur in the air.

On his post on his official Facebook account, Albay second district Rep. Joey Salceda said the grayish smoke plume was around 2.5 to 3 km tall and was bent towards the south-west by strong winds.

Camalig Mayor Ahrdail Baldo and the town’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management council immediately distributed face masks to residents.

Elio Balino, 50, resident at Baligang village in Camalig, said they heard a loud booming sound before the ashfall occurred.

Villages affected by ashfall in Camalig were Quirangay, Tumpa, Sua, Cabangan, Salugan, Poblacion, and Libod.

As of 6:30 p.m., Baldo said they are still waiting for further instruction if evacuation of affected residents would be necessary.

Meanwhile, Guinobatan Mayor Gemma Ongjoco said residents in Sitio Basio in Barangay Muladbucad Grande, Barangay Tandarora, and Barangay Maninila would be evacuated. /atm