December 17, 2009
AHN Staff
Legazpi, Albay, Philippines (AHN) - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is considering raising the alert level to 4 from 3 if Mayon Volcano's condition worsens. The agency on Wednesday extended the danger zone to eight kilometers radius as it imposed a forced evacuation of 3,000 residents within the extended danger zone.
Photo: Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Albay province at dawn on Tuesday. (Nelson Salting/AP)
At the same time, Phivolcs warned the crisis could last for months and the number of evacuees could grow to 120,000.
Phivolcs logged 78 volcanic earthquakes on Wednesday and sulfur dioxide emissions of 750 tons per day. The agency had observed that two lava domes have formed at the crater of Mayon Volcano and keeps on growing. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said an aerial survey would be made for the agency to determine the perils the two growing craters would pose to residents within the danger zone.
So far almost 7,000 families from 20 villages within the danger zone have been forced evacuated, although it has been observed that some residents return to the farms to check on their plants and harvest.
The government plan to evacuate 10,000 more families from 45 villages to achieve a zero casualty target if Mayon would erupt. If there would be bad weather and rain, 16,000 more families would be moved forcibly due to danger from lahar and mudflows.
The evacuees, who are given five kilograms of rice daily per family, are staying in public schools. Tents were set up to allow the students of the school to go on with their classes.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said 68 percent of residents within the danger zone have been transferred as of Wednesday. He added the provincial government hopes to evacuate all residents from the danger zone by Friday.
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