Bicol To Face Heavy Rains And Threat Of Lahar From Mayon Volcano

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration says Bicol will experience flash floods or landslides due to light to moderate with at times heavy rains on Wednesday, Jan 17. Reports also say Bicol also faces threat of lahar coming from Mount Mayon in Legazpi City, Albay.

At 4 am on Wednesday, PAGASA says a northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon. Meanwhile, a tail end of a cold front is affecting the eastern section of Central and Southern Luzon. Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms is expected over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Bicol Region.

PAGASA says Bicol faces threat of lahat from Mount Mayon

According to PAGASA, occasionally heavy rains will affect Bicol Region and as it also faces threat of lahar from Mount Mayon. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) said that if  the ash and debris coming from Mount Mayon since the weekend would mix with rainwater, this could produce dangerous mud flows or lahar.

PHILVOLCS says a total of 143 lava collapses were recorded from the Mayon volcano in Albay from 8 am Tuesday to 8 am Wednesday. Now, 20,000 people near the volcano have already been evacuated as reported by GMA. Meanwhile, Interaksyon reports that Albay is now under a state of calamity.

PAGASA also raised an Orange signal warning alert over the Bicolono towns of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon. This means that there will be 1 or 2 hours of rains that could cause flash floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau PAGASA says a Low Pressure Area (LPA) still outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility is being monitored. There is a low chance, however, for it to be a tropical storm.

Visayas and Mindanao will continue to experience rains while North Luzon, Ilocos, and the Cordilleras will experince cloudy skies and scattered rains.