MANILA, Philippines — Five episodes of “intense but sporadic” lava fountaining occurred on Mayon Volcano in the past two days.
Between 8:54 a.m. on Tuesday and 3:57 a.m. yesterday, lava fountaining lasted seven minutes to an hour and 24 minutes, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
The lava fountains flowed up to three kilometers from the crater and generated ash plumes that reached up to five kilometers.
More than 15,000 families or 70,000 residents of 54 barangays in Bacacay, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Daraga, Tabaco, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo and Legazpi in Albay evacuated their homes.
More than 50,000 people are staying in 59 evacuation centers.
Classes in Albay and Camarines Sur were suspended.
Ed Laguerta, Mayon resident volcanologist, said ash columns drifted toward Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Oas and Polangui.
Laguerta said alert level 4 would be raised to level 5 if the volcano sustains its explosions.
Keep out of danger zone
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum reiterated the warning to the public not to enter the eight-kilometer danger zone, saying a hazardous eruption could be imminent within the next few days.
Cedric Daep, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office chief, said he recommended that electricity and water supplies be cut within the danger zones to discourage residents from returning.
“If pyroclastic flows hit people, there is no chance for life, ” Daep said.
The Department of Health (DOH) advised residents near the volcano to stay indoors and wear masks to protect themselves from respiratory diseases due to the ash fall.
More than 30,000 masks have been sent to the Bicol region.
The DOH released an additional P12 million, including P7 million for medicine and water supply, for Mayon evacuees.
Daep said Albay is spending at least P3 million a day to feed evacuees.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Bicol said P1 billion is on standby to buy food packs to feed around 50,000 families staying in evacuation centers for 100 days.
Meanwhile, AirSWIFT, Cebgo, Cebu Pacific Air and PAL Express cancelled some flights to and from Albay due to the eruptions. - Celso Amo, Mayen Jaymalin, Rainier Allan Ronda, Cet Dematera, Rudy Santos, AP
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