MANILA — Heavy rainfall might impede evacuations as Mayon Volcano’s unrest continues, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) chief, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno warned Monday.
Nepomuceno said the number of evacuees could double once the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raises Mayon’s alert level to 4 or more.
Another challenge, however, is if Mayon’s turbulence coincides with rain.
“Ang mas malaking dilemma lang po, pag nag-Level 4 na, at sinabayan po ito ng ulan na sana wag mangyari, yun yung medyo challenging po,” said Nepomuceno during the Laging Handa Public Briefing.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has recently declared the beginning of the rainy season, wherein the southwest monsoon or habagat is expected to be enhanced.
“Ang maaring challenging lang po, from Level 3, ‘pag ginawa yang Level 4, hanggang Level 5 ng Phivolcs, halos madodoble po ang ating mga aalalayan doon sa 22 evacuation centers, madadagdagan sila dahil sa ngayon po, mayroon tayong 5,492 families na nasa evacuation centers, sa Level 3 po yan,” explained Nepomuceno.
Nepumuceno, however, assured that the government still can care for all the evacuees.
Albay is still under Alert Level 3, which means there is relatively high unrest, and “volcanic quakes and tremors may become more frequent,” said the Phivolcs website.
The government has been gearing up for a long-term response, as state volcanologists foresee that Mayon’s unrest could last months. (Jean Mangaluz © Philipine Daily Inquirer)
