Volcano Storm Rains Worry: People Fleeing Restless in Philippine

The ongoing evacuations of thousands of people from their homes in the central Philippines to escape a restless volcano are being complicated by a new danger: monsoon rains that an approaching typhoon could bring on.

Northeastern Albay province’s rural communities within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of the Mayon volcano’s crater have displaced over 6,000 villagers. The permanent danger zone may also require the relocation of thousands more people, according to officials.

Others who reside outside the perimeter have packed their belongings and voluntarily moved to evacuation centers in Albay, which was declared a state of calamity on Friday to facilitate the quicker distribution of emergency funds in the event of a major eruption.

As superheated streams of gas, rocks, and debris cascaded down the volcano’s upper slope on Thursday, authorities raised the volcano’s alert level. This activity beneath the surface could be a precursor to a dangerous eruption in the coming days or weeks.

One of the nation’s most active volcanoes, the 2,462-meter (8,077-foot) Mayon is a popular tourist destination due to its charming conical shape. When it last erupted violently in 2018, tens of thousands of villagers were forced to flee.

Typhoon Guchol, which is headed towards the Philippines from the Pacific but is forecast to avoid the archipelago, has been warned by authorities that it may still drop heavy rains. This is bad news for those who live on Mayon’s slopes.

Keep Reading

“There’s a typhoon, and floodwaters could rush down Mayon and bury this village,” someone said. That’s one of our worries, a house painter named Villamor Lopez told the news sources.

On a pickup truck transporting villagers from the village of Daraga in the Albay province to an emergency shelter several kilometers (miles) away, he sat anxiously with his relatives holding onto their bags of clothing, pouches of rice, and bottles of drinking water.

While debating whether to leave, other locals conversed by a chapel on the side of the road.

In their relaxed neighborhood of low-slung rural homes and winding dirt lanes, a loudspeaker warned residents to get ready to leave at any time if the situation worsened. The volcano was obscured in the cloudy sky above them by big rain clouds.

Dennis Bon, the village chief, said he wouldn’t take the chance of waiting until the very last minute and was getting ready to drive Lopez and others to the shelter.

Before he drove off, Bon said, “We have kids, people with disabilities, and elderly residents here.

Edcel Greco Lagman, the governor of Albay, and Rex Gatchalian, the secretary of welfare, said they were ready in case monsoon rains brought on mudflows and rockfalls.

Lagman said, “We will continue to ensure that there are no casualties from any compounded calamities.

Along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where tectonic plates collide and are more likely to experience earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, is where the Philippines is located. In 1991, one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century occurred at Mount Pinatubo, a long-dormant volcano, killing hundreds of people.

Katherine S

1/4 German, 3/4 Malaysian. I write, follow and monitor closely political news happening in Malaysia, and other happening news in the ASEAN region. Newswriter for the best ASEAN news website - The Asian Affairs.

Recent Posts

Korea and UAE Forge New Paths in Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)

With an eye toward healthcare and biotechnology especially, the Republic of Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have lately…

November 5, 2024

Netflix Becomes a Surprising Hub for Shojo Anime Fans

Long prized for its romantic themes, nuanced characters, and emphasis on personal development, shojo anime has become an unexpected Netflix…

November 5, 2024

Indonesia Extends Sales Ban to Google Pixel Following Non-Compliance with Investment Requirements

Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry has implemented a ban on the sale of Google Pixel phones within the country, adding to…

November 4, 2024

One Piece Unveils Revamped Fish-Man Island Saga with New Opening Theme as Anime Prepares for 2025 Return

One Piece offers a new take of the legendary Fish-Man Island arc, so fans are in for a nostalgic trip…

November 4, 2024

Johor to Pioneer Premium Salaries for Skilled Workers as Malaysia’s First State Initiative under Johor-Singapore SEZ

Particularly in areas related to the forthcoming Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), Johor is poised to become the first state…

November 4, 2024

China-Japan Diplomatic Groundwork Laid Ahead of Anticipated Xi-Ishiba Summit in South America

China and Japan are getting ready for what would be a historic meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and freshly…

November 4, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More