Volcanic Flows and Ash Shroud Albay Province as Mount Mayon Escalates By Alex Moreno
ALBAY, Philippines — Mount Mayon, the country’s most active volcano, unleashed a series of searing volcanic flows and a massive ash plume on Monday morning, blanketing wide swaths of Albay Province in gray debris and pushing a monthlong period of geologic unrest into a full-blown humanitarian concern.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the activity began at around 10:35 a.m., marking the volcano’s most intense episode so far this year. Monitoring stations recorded at least 12 successive pyroclastic density currents — fast-moving avalanches of superheated gas, ash, and rock — racing nearly four kilometers down the Mi-isi Gully on the volcano’s southern flank. A thick column of brownish-gray ash rose roughly two kilometers into the air before being carried southwest by prevailing winds.
Scientists described the event as a dangerous escalation in Mayon’s behavior, shifting from intermittent tremors and lava effusion to sustained explosive activity capable of affecting densely populated areas. The widespread ashfall disrupted daily life across the province, strained local infrastructure, and prompted authorities to intensify emergency measures to protect more than 30,000 residents living in vulnerable zones.
In Camalig town, the impact was immediate and severe. Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. said ashfall reached 36 barangays, including the poblacion, coating homes, markets, schools, and government buildings. Unlike earlier phases of unrest that largely affected upland and sparsely populated areas, Monday’s eruption sent heavy ash into lowland communities.
In several locations, volcanic debris mixed with intermittent rain, forming a thick, muddy residue that slicked roads, clogged drainage systems, and reduced visibility to near zero. Motorists were forced to slow to a crawl, while some sections of national and provincial highways were temporarily closed due to hazardous driving conditions.
Similar scenes unfolded in neighboring Guinobatan, where local officials reported ashfall in at least 13 villages. Municipal disaster risk reduction offices coordinated closely with police and fire units to manage traffic and maintain access to critical routes.
The Bureau of Fire Protection, supported by local police, deployed water tankers to flush major roads, a critical step to prevent fine, abrasive ash from damaging vehicles and being resuspended into the air by passing traffic. Authorities said the operation would continue as long as ashfall persists.
Health officials warned that volcanic ash poses serious short- and long-term risks, particularly to children, the elderly, and those with preexisting respiratory conditions. Fine silica particles in the ash can irritate the eyes and throat, trigger asthma attacks, and, with prolonged exposure, lead to more serious pulmonary problems.
To reduce health risks, local governments distributed thousands of N95 masks and urged residents to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and use damp cloths as makeshift air filters. In Camalig alone, about 2,000 people remain housed in evacuation centers, where medical teams are monitoring an increase in respiratory complaints, including coughs, colds, and eye irritation.
The ashfall also disrupted education and government operations across the province. Bicol University announced the suspension of afternoon classes and work across its campuses in Legazpi City, Daraga, Guinobatan, and Tabaco City, citing unsafe travel conditions and poor air quality. Several local government offices followed suit, scaling back operations to essential services only.
As of Monday evening, PHIVOLCS maintained Mayon at Alert Level 3, signaling high unrest and the continued possibility of hazardous eruptions. Authorities continue to strictly enforce the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, warning of the constant threat posed by pyroclastic flows, lava collapses, rockfalls, and volcanic gas emissions.
For residents of Albay, the eruption is a stark reminder of the power that lies beneath the iconic “Perfect Cone.” While Mayon remains a symbol of natural beauty and regional identity, its latest outburst underscores the fragile balance between life and geology in one of the Philippines’ most disaster-prone landscapes. © Kuryente News