PHIVOLCS: Lightning near Taal Volcano not due to volcanic activity

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) confirmed Sunday evening that there has been no eruption or earthquake at Taal Volcano, after lightning in the area alarmed some residents.

Instead, the lightning was caused by a localized thunderstorm in Batangas, the agency said, as reported by GMA News' Mav Gonzales.

PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum Jr. also told the Philippine News Agency that there was no eruption.

PAGASA on Sunday evening also said that Batangas province is experiencing "heavy to intense rainshowers with lightning and strong winds" said Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to the easterlies or localized thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, in its May 22 volcano bulletin, PHIVOLCS said the Taal Volcano Network did not detect any volcanic earthquake in the past 24 hours. It also said that plumes seen at the crater were created by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids.

Alert Level 2 is currently maintained over Taal Volcano. This means that sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ash fall, and lethal accumulations or explosions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around Taal Volcano Island. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News