Mandatory evacuation enforced in Tabaco, Albay over Mayon eruption

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

Tobaco City in Albay has implemented a mandatory evacuation for its residents after Mayon Volcano erupted.

In a 24 Oras report from Tina Panganiban-Perez on Friday, residents within the Mayon Volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone were evacuated. Classes in affected areas have also been suspended.

Large plumes of ash and smoke rose from Mayon Volcano, with authorities raising Alert Level 3.

“Sa ganitong uri ng pagputok, ang primary volcanic hazard... ang ‘uson’ o yung pyroclastic density current. Ito po yung nakikita nating mainit na turbulent mass na bumubulusok pababa ng bulkan,” Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief Antonia Bornas said.

(In these types of explosions, the primary volcanic hazard… is the uson or the pyroclastic density current. This is what we see. The turbulent mass that gushes down the volcano.)

Bornas said that it is unknown if this type of explosive eruption was a one-time event or if it will be followed by others, as their monitoring parameters in Mayon have yet to be lowered.

“Anytime, pwede pong magbago ang kalagayan ng bulkan,” Bornas said. (Anytime, the condition of the volcano could change.)

PHIVOLCS warned residents of the risks of ashfall following the explosion. Residents of Guinobatan experienced ashfall, prompting them to use face masks, with some stores needing to cover their windows.

The Department of Health has outlined several reminders during ashfall, telling residents to wear an N95 mask, a wet cloth, or double facemasks to protect themselves. Residents are also urged to drive slowly, ensure that they have windshield wiper fluid, and turn on their headlights for visibility.

The Office of Civil Defense has also raised a red alert status in its operations center in the Bicol Region. –Jean Mangaluz/NB, GMA News