New Mayon Volcano threat as Mi-isi Gully fills with volcanic debris

There's a new danger facing residents as the Mayon Volcano continues its activity after the Mi-isi Gully, a channel for lava and pyroclastic density currents (PDC), has been filled up with volcanic debris.

According to Bea Pinlac's report on "24 Oras," local officials said it was now uncertain where lahar would flow in the event of continuous and heavy rain.

With the filled-up gully, the lahar will look for new channels and may reach areas beyond the permanent danger zone.

“May gully doon na napakalalim, siguro ‘yung lalim noon 50 to 100 meters, napuno lang ng debris,” said Daraga Albay Mayor Victor Perete.

(There is a very deep gully there, probably 50 to 100 meters deep, but it's now filled with debris.)

“Dapat 'yung loob ng channel ay mas malalim kaysa doon sa riverbank, pero ngayon po ay mas umbok na 'yung loob dahil doon nga po na-deposit po 'yung PDC,” Doreen Abelinde, OIC of the Mayon Observatory Station, said.

(The channel should be deeper than the riverbank, but its inside has now bulged after the PDC was deposited.)

“Hindi na natin ma-pe-predict kasi considering nag-overflow nga siya, hindi natin alam kung saan siya gagawa ng mga bagong channel, kung saan siya magpu-flow ulit…So, according to PHIVOLCS, definitely gagawa doon ng bagong trail ng dadanan niya," said Bobby Cristobal, APSEMO-PDRRMC Albay head.

(We could not predict it anymore because, considering that it overflowed, we could not say where it would create new channels to flow again... So according to PHIVOLCS, it will definitely create a new trail.) –Jamil Santos/NB/KG, GMA News