Albay residents worry about lahar flow from Mayon amid Ada threat

Residents in Albay are worried over the possibility of lahar flowing from the Mayon Volcano amid the threat of Tropical Depression Ada. 

According to Ian Cruz’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the volcano’s restiveness continues with the occurrence of rockfall events and pyroclastic density currents (PDC).

Mayon Volcano’s unrest is more visible at night as the bright red glow of the PDCs flowing down its slopes contrasts with the darkness of its surroundings.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect over the volcano.

In Guinobatan, 83 individuals have been evacuated, including some residents in the 7-to-8 kilometer extended danger zone. 

The family of Richelda Bartolay, whose home was affected by the ashhall, is among the evacuees.

“Hinika po sila dahil sa abo (They fell sick with asthma as a result of the ash),” she said.

Bartolay brought her children with her to the barangay complex for their safety.

Authorities expect that 12,000 individuals will need to be evacuated from Guinobatan if the volcano’s alert status is hiked to Alert Level 4.

“Naka-standby po ang mga military truck po natin and naka-ano naman kami ng rescue vehicles ng different barangays, ‘yung hindi naman po affected. Kasi may mga rescue vehicles naman po ‘yung 44 barangays. ‘Yung hindi po affected ng Mayon eruption, nag-usap na kami ng mga barangay captain na tutulong po silang maghakot,” said Guinobatan Mayor Ann Ongjoco. 

(Our military trucks are on standby, and we prepared the rescue vehicles from various barangays that are not affected. Since all 44 barangays have rescue vehicles, I already spoke with the barangay captains of those unaffected by the Mayon eruption and they have agreed to help transport people.) 

However, residents are also worried about the possible lahar flow due to rains from Ada.

The potential rainfall from the tropical depression could fill the Maninila Gully and Masarawag Gully or the holes in the ground created by lahar. 

Authorities warned that Barangay Maninila might end up isolated if that happens. 

“Ma-a-isolate sila, so mahihirapan po tayo na ilabas sila just in case mag-aggravate po ang situation,” said Guinobatan MDRRMO officer Joy Maravilla. 

(They will be isolated, so it will be difficult for us to get them out just in case the situation gets worse.) 

Some residents along the Guinobatan-Mayon Road will also need to evacuate if the Masarawag Gully overflows and the lahar reaches the said area. Vehicles would be unable to pass the area as well.

Guinobatan suffered its most severe lahar flow in 2006 after Typhoon Reming caused lahar flows in the area, affecting more than a hundred people.

“Alarming din po sa constituents na ganyan may Mayon tapos may paparating pa po na ano bagyo. So siyempre po ang ano namin dyan ay mas lolobo ang aming evacuees natin,” Ongjoco said.

(It is alarming for our constituents that we are facing Mayon’s activity while there is also an approaching storm. Naturally, we expect the number of our evacuees to swell because of this.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News