Mayon communities urged to stay alert as Tropical Storm Ada raises lahar risk
Track and intensity forecast for Tropical Storm Ada (Nokaen) (Courtesy of PAGASA)
Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Ada (international name: Nokaen) may trigger lahars and muddy streamflows around Mayon Volcano in Albay, as the weather disturbance affects the eastern part of the country, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned on Friday, Jan. 16.
In a lahar advisory issued at 6 a.m., Phivolcs said the storm is expected to bring rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters, which could remobilize loose volcanic deposits on Mayon’s slopes.
The agency cited new pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits from the volcano’s ongoing eruption as particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall.
“These erodible deposits occupy the Mi-isi, Bonga, and Basud gullies and may feed generally in-channel but hot lahars along the Mi-isi and Binaan channels in Daraga; Mabinit, Bonga, Matanag, Buyuan, and Padang in Legazpi City; and the Lidong and Basud rivers in Santo Domingo,” Phivolcs said.
Hot lahars could cause scalding upon contact, potentially resulting in serious or life-threatening injuries, the agency warned.
Older eruption deposits on Mayon’s southwestern slopes may also be remobilized as non-eruption lahars, particularly along the Masarawag, Maninila, and related distributary channels in Guinobatan.
Lahars can threaten downstream communities through inundation, strong impact from boulder-laden flows, burial, and washout, including areas extending to the sea along the volcano’s eastern slopes.
Phivolcs urged residents in pre-identified lahar- and hazard-prone areas in Albay to remain vigilant and prepare for possible lahar-related events during the passage of Tropical Storm Ada.
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