Mayon's lahar threatens Albay folk

Heavy rains in past days have threatened to bring down lahar from Mayon Volcano on residents in Albay province, which has already been crippled by swamped roads and bridges. Radio dzRH reported that as of Tuesday morning, several residents in Legazpi City made preparations for possible evacuation after Mayor Noel Rosal warned of possible lahar flows. The warning came 10 days before the first anniversary of typhoon "Reming," which triggered mudflows that killed at least 700 in the region last year. Rosal said he has mobilized the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC), especially in "lahar-prone" areas near Mayon Volcano, including Padang village. However, owners of local private schools had declared classes were to resume Tuesday despite the continuous rains. The city, the largest in the Bicol region, has 194,580 residents. In Daraga town, at least four villages were isolated after rains cut off four wooden bridges in the villages of Binitayan, Tagas and Sangandaan. Also flooded in Albay province were the towns of Libon, Polangui and Oas mainly due to the overflowing of Lake Bato in Camarines Sur province. Libon is a second-class town with a population of 66,213 people in 12,572 households. It is known regionally as the "Rice Granary of Albay." Polangui is a first-class town with a population of 70,451 people in 13,773 households. Oas is a second-class town with has a population of 62,063 people in 11,715 households. - GMANews.TV