Phivolcs warns of possible Mayon Volcano lahars due to STS Opong rains
Mayon Volcano (Phivolcs file photo)
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday evening, Sept. 24, warned that heavy rains from Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name: Bualoi) may trigger volcanic sediment flows or lahars on the slopes of Mayon Volcano.
Citing a 5 p.m. weather advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Phivolcs said Bicol region is expected to experience heavy to intense rainfall from Thursday afternoon, Sept. 25, until Friday afternoon, Sept. 26.
“These rains could generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, muddy streamflows or muddy run-off in rivers and drainage areas on Mayon Volcano,” Phivolcs said.
It urged communities in lahar-prone areas to remain vigilant.
The agency explained that intense rainfall could remobilize loose material from remnant pyroclastic density current deposits from Mayon’s 2018 and 2023 eruptions.
The bulk of these erodible deposits lies within the watershed areas of the Miisi, Mabinit, Buyuan, and Basud channels.
Older eruption deposits on the volcano’s eastern and western slopes may also be remobilized as non-eruption lahars through the erosion of channel banks and beds, Phivolcs added.
It warned that communities downstream of the Miisi, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matanag, Basud, and Bulawan channels in Albay face the risk of inundation, burial, or being washed away.
Phivolcs advised residents and local government units in these areas to closely monitor rainfall conditions and take preemptive safety measures.
On its current track, Opong is forecast to continue moving west-northwestward and may make landfall over Bicol region by Friday morning or afternoon before crossing Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila.
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