Mayon quiet but under tight watch due to storm 'Bebeng'

Restive Mayon Volcano in Albay was relatively quiet in the last 24 hours but remained under tight watch due to threats of lahar flows triggered by tropical storm "Bebeng" (Aure). The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday Albay officials and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology are particularly monitoring Mayon's permanent danger zone (PDZ). "(Albay disaster management officials and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or Phivolcs) closely monitored the Mt. Mayon PDZ on the effects of continuous rains that may result to flashfloods and landslide," the NDRRMC said. Some 7,546 families or 34,533 people in 69 villages living near the lahar zone of Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig, Sto. Domingo and Guinobatan were evacuated as of 1 a.m. Sunday, the NDRRMC said. But Phivolcs, in its Sunday update, said only one volcanic earthquake and two rockfall events were recorded during the past 24 hours. Alert Level 1 is in effect over Mayon Volcano, meaning that while no eruption is imminent, the public should not enter the 6-kilometer radius PDZ due to the continuing threat from sudden small explosions and rockfalls from the upper and middle slopes of the volcano. "Active stream/river channels and those perennially identified as lahar prone areas in the southern sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall," Phivolcs said. In Sorsogon, meanwhile, Phivolcs said Bulusan Volcano did not record any volcanic earthquake during the past 24 hours. But it said Bulusan's status remains at Alert Level 1, meaning the source of activity is hydrothermal and shallow. "Entry to the 4-kilometer radius PDZ is strictly prohibited, since the area is at risk to sudden steam and ash explosions. Due to the prevailing wind direction, residents in the northwest and southwest sectors of the volcano are reminded to take precautions against ashfalls," it said. It reminded civil aviation authorities to warn pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may be hazardous to aircraft. "If possible aircraft should avoid flying on the western side of the volcano as volcanic debris are likely to be carried in this direction by the prevailing winds," it added. Phivolcs also said people living near valleys and river/stream channels should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahar in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall. — LBG, GMA News