Lahar from Mayon hits Albay town due to Pepito

Due to heavy and continuous rains brought by Tropical Storm Pepito, a lahar from Mayon Volcano hit some roads in Guinobatan, Albay, according to a report of Jonathan Andal on Balitanghali on Wednesday.

The municipal disaster risk reduction and management office said some roads were damaged after the mudflow crashed on the area and became inaccessible to motorists.

However, some of them still tried to ply the route despite the blockage.

In an 8 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology advised concerned residents to avoid active stream, river channels, and lahar-prone areas during rainfalls.

“Active stream/river channels and those identified as perennially lahar-prone areas on all sectors of the volcano should also be avoided especially during extreme weather conditions when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall,” it said.

In an 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Pepito slightly intensified while moving westward over the West Philippine Sea.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards. -Joviland Rita/MDM, GMA News