Mayon Volcano in Philippines Can Erupt Anytime Soon, Nearby Areas Evacuated
The Philippines raised the volcano alert to level 3, which indicates increased volcanic activity towards a hazardous eruption. More than 12,000 residents have already fled to evacuation centres after the 2,462 metre Mayon Volcano.
Manila, January 16: The Philippines’ authorities alerted on Monday for a possible eruption at Mount Mayon “within weeks or even within days”, as Magma continued to pile up. The Southeast Asian country’s most active volcano showed a bright cater glow on Sunday signifying lava had started to flow from the hollow.
Government officials instructed for emergency evacuation of people. More than 12,000 residents have already fled to evacuation centres after the 2,462 metres Mayon Volcano, in central Albay province, began spewing ash on Saturday. It further unleashed burning mud and rocks on Sunday. Manila’s airport authorities reported that Cebu Pacific cancelled its flights to nearby Legazpi City for a second day on Monday citing bad weather. Philippine Airlines said that it has not cancelled flights to and from Legazpi, but there were some delays.
The Philippines raised the volcano alert to level 3, which indicates increased volcanic activity towards a hazardous eruption, late on Sunday. Level 5 shows that an eruption is in progress. Mount Mayon is a 2,462 metres high (8,077 ft) and it is famous for its "perfect cone" shape which attracts tourists. Mayon's most destructive explosion was in February 1841, when lava buried a town and killed nearly 1,200 people. It last erupted in 2014, spewing lava and forcing thousands of people to evacuate. Mayon is the most active volcano in Philippines, erupting over 51 times in the past 400 times.
The Mount Agung volcano in the Indonesian island of Bali has been reported on Monday to face another eruption. The country’s Disaster Management Agency said that it has spewed thick plumes of ash 2,500 metres into the sky. They further raised the warning alert to the highest level on November 2017 ordering the evacuation of more than 100,000 people.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 16, 2018 11:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).