PAGASA: Up to 4 days of rain likely in Bicol amid Mayon unrest; warns of lahar flows

Residents near the Mayon Volcano were warned of possible lahar flows as the Bicol Region may experience three to four days of rain amid the volcano’s current unrest.

“Paminsan-minsan po malalakas yung mga pag-ulan lalo na po sa dakong hapon hanggang gabi. Kaya nandiyan po yung banta ng lahar doon sa mga nasa paligid po ng bulkan,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja told Balitanghali on Wednesday.

(Heavy rains occur at times, particularly in the afternoon to evening, so there is a threat of lahar in areas around the volcano.)

He urged affected residents to monitor updates from PAGASA and other concerned agencies, particularly the heavy rainfall warnings and advisories.

Estareja also warned of possible flooding due to river swelling and landslides resulting from soil saturation.  

On Tuesday, PHIVOLCS raised Mayon Volcano in Albay to Alert Level 3 after pyroclastic density currents (PDC) or “uson” were recorded.

Alert Level 3 for Mayon means “high level of volcanic unrest,” which means it is exhibiting a magmatic eruption of a summit lava dome, with increased chances of lava flows and hazardous PDCs or uson affecting the upper to middle slopes of the volcano and of potential explosive activity within days or weeks.”

A total of 2,889 individuals, or 729 families, were evacuated from their homes due to the activity of Mayon Volcano. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News