Phivolcs issues lahar advisory for Mayon Volcano amid tropical storm Paeng’s onslaught

Mayon Volcano in Albay (PHIVOLCS FILE PHOTO)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday, Oct. 28, warned that lahars and muddy run-off may occur along rivers and drainages of Mayon Volcano in Albay during the passage of tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae).

Paeng is expected to bring “heavy to intense with at times torrential rains” over Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas until Saturday, Oct. 29.

In an advisory issued at 7 p.m. on Friday, Phivolcs said the storm’s rains could “generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, muddy stream flows or muddy run-off in rivers and drainage areas of Mayon Volcano.”

“Prolonged and heavy rainfall may generate non-eruption lahars along river/stream channels draining the Mayon edifice,” it pointed out.

Phivolcs urged the public to be vigilant, while it asked communities in pre-determined zones of lahar and other related hazards to be prepared.

“Potential lahars and sediment-laden stream flows may occur along the Miisi, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matan-ag, and Basud, Bantayan Channels in Albay province,” Phivolcs warned.

Furthermore, it said that lahar from the Mayon Volcano can threaten communities along the middle and lower slopes and downstream of these channels.