Albay folk remain wary of Mayon threat: Buti na lang wala na si ‘Basyang’

The threat from Tropical Cyclone Basyang may have passed, but residents in Albay province are not quite relaxing yet because of the continued threat from Mayon Volcano.

Activity at Mayon remains sporadic with weak lava fountaining, lava flow and degassing from the summit crater, state volcanologists said.

Ed Laguerta of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said lahar flow is possible if there will be strong and sustained rains (http://bicoltoday.com/2018/02/13/basyang-may-spare-albay-but-mayon-threat-remains/).

Laguerta stressed the importance of constant monitoring of the activities of Mayon physically and through the agency’s instruments.

Phivolcs had recorded 82.1 million cubic meters of ejected ashes, lava, rocks and pyroclastic materials from Mayon since it started erupting last Jan. 13.

Laguerta said their latest aerial survey showed Mayon Volcano is still inflated, indicating materials below the ground are still generating.

Albay residents had feared lahar flow from Mayon if Basyang hits the province.

Several residents had been evacuated from their homes due to the threat from Mayon.

Phivolcs has maintained Alert Level 4 over Mayon Volcano.