Mayon Volcano Spews Ash Again as Evacuees Near 4,000
Philippine officials reported 3,903 evacuees as Mayon sent a 1,600-meter ash plume above its summit. Alert Level 3 remains in effect.
Mayon Volcano in the Philippines sent another ash plume above its summit Tuesday morning as the number of people evacuated from nearby communities rose to almost 4,000, according to local officials and Philippine news reports.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the ash emission began at 8:22 a.m. and lasted about three minutes. The plume rose around 1,600 meters above the summit crater before drifting southwest.
Albay's public safety and emergency management office reported 3,903 evacuees from 1,083 families as of noon Tuesday, the Daily Tribune reported. The displaced residents came from Tabaco and Ligao cities and the towns of Malilipot and Camalig.
Mayon remains under Alert Level 3, indicating intensified unrest. Authorities continue to prohibit entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone and warn against flying aircraft close to the volcano.
Phivolcs also recorded 13 volcanic earthquakes and one minor Strombolian event during its latest 24-hour monitoring period, according to INQUIRER.net. Nearby communities were warned about hazards including ashfall, lava flows, rockfalls, pyroclastic density currents and lahars.
Albay's provincial health office has distributed 22,000 surgical masks to affected health facilities and local governments, the Daily Tribune reported. Officials said communities also need clean water, hygiene kits and relief goods.