Authorities warned on Wednesday that heavy rainfall could trigger life-threatening lahar flows around Mayon Volcano, as the province remains under heightened alert due to the volcano’s continued magmatic activity.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) maintained Alert Level 3 over Mayon, citing intensified unrest marked by lava extrusion, crater glow, and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs).
State volcanologists cautioned that prolonged downpours could wash away accumulated volcanic debris, turning them into fast-moving mudflows or lahars that threaten downstream communities.
In an 11:00 AM weather advisory, state weather bureau PAGASA forecast heavy rainfall between 50 mm and 100 mm for Albay and neighboring provinces, including Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) joined the call for vigilance, warning that rains could trigger “channel-confined lahar and sediment-laden streamflows” in areas where volcanic deposits have settled.
As of Wednesday, mandatory evacuations remain in effect for the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).
According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), more than 700 families—totaling nearly 3,000 individuals—from 30 barangays across Tabaco City, Legazpi City, and several municipalities have already been moved to safety.
Local officials in Albay stated that they are prepared to seek further national assistance if the unrest escalates to Alert Level 4, which would necessitate the evacuation of thousands more residents outside the current danger zones.
Phivolcs continues to monitor the volcano for potential “moderate-sized” explosions and lava fountaining, while advising the public to avoid all entry into the high-risk areas.