Rain triggers lahar flow south of Mayon — Phivolcs

The Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs) said Sunday that rain-triggered lahar flow occurred on the southern slope of Mayon volcano.

In a press briefing, Phivolcs said lahar flowed between the Anuling and Miisi channels on Saturday afternoon due to continuous rain in the province of Albay.

The Phivolcs earlier warned Albay residents for possible lahar flow due to bad weather.

“Phivolcs therefore warns of potential lahar and sediment-laden stream flows on all river channels draining the slopes of Mayon volcano especially the Buyuan, Miisi, Mabinit, Basud, San Vicente, Buang, Quirangay and Masarawag-Maninila that may be generated by heavy rainfalls brought about by the cold-front,” Phivolcs said.

READ: Phivolcs warns of lahar flow near Mayon due to heavy rain

In its 8 a.m. bulletin on Sunday, the Phivolcs said it recorded four volcanic earthquakes, seven tremor events of which two corresponded with lava fountain episodes and 23 rockfall events.

Between 6:22 p.m. on Saturday until 1:40 a.m. on Sunday, two lava fountaining episodes occurred that lasted for 23 and 55 minutes, Phivolcs said.

The Phivolcs repeated its advisory for the public to take extra precautions as Alert level 4 remained at the Mayon volcano.

“The public is strongly advised to be vigilant and desist from entering the eight (8) kilometer-radius danger zone, and to be additionally vigilant against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice,” it said.

“Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” it added. /cbb