Philippines: Mayon Volcano - Jun 2023

Issued on 08 June 2023, the alert level for Mayon Volcano was raised from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3, which indicates that there is an increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption. (Govt. of the Philippines, 8 Jun 2023). As of 10 June, a total of 8,294 families or 33,691 persons are affected in 27 barangays in Albay. Alert Level 3 prevails over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days. (Govt. of the Philippines, 10 Jun 2023)

The state of unrest of the Mayon volcano in the central Philippines is still ongoing. In the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded two volcanic earthquakes, a very slow effusion of lava from the summit of the crater and steam-laden plumes that rose 700 m. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), almost 18,000 have been displaced (17,216 evacuated in 25 evacuation centres), and 37,682 people have been affected across 26 Barangays of the Albay Province in Bicol Region. The alert level of the volcano stands at 3 which means that the volcano is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days. (ECHO, 15 Jun 2023)

Around 39,000 people have been affected after Mayon volcano’s Alert Level was raised to 3 on 08 June. Of this, more than 19,000 people from 26 barangays are taking temporary shelter in 26 open evacuation centers. Due to ongoing volcanic activity, the government has extended the danger zone to 7 km. The HCT Clusters are actively engaging with government counterparts and are ready to respond should the need arise. Some clusters, such as Logistics have provided augmented support to the affected areas, while IFRC requested DREF funding. (OCHA, 19 Jun 2023)

Local authorities ordered an additional 7,000 people to be evacuated from the area around Mayon Volcano, as effusion of lava at the volcano site was reported over the past 24 hours. According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as of 25 July, a total of 9,876 families (38,396 people) are affected, including 5,790 families (20,234 people) displaced since the volcano eruption reported on 7 July. There have been 184 volcanic earthquakes, 156 rockfall events, and four dome-collapse pyroclastic density current occurrences reported so far. The local authority is providing food and non-food supplies to the victims. The Philippine Red Cross has been providing safe water to IDPs at evacuation Centers. DG ECHO is supporting the Red Cross through the IFRC with EUR 50,000. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recommends that the 6-kilometre-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) remain evacuated due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards. (ECHO, 26 Jul 2023)

Explosive and effusive activity of the Mayon volcano, located in Bicol Region, central Philippines, is ongoing. In the past 24 hours, two main lava flows moving in southern and south-eastern direction and ash plumes 100 m high have been recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), more than 20,200 people are still displaced while almost 38,400 others have been affected across 26 Barangays located in Albay Province (Bicol Region). (ECHO, 1 Aug 2023)

The current status of Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 3, indicating an on-going state of alertness. The volcano continues to exhibit a slow effusion of lava flow, extending to various lengths along different gullies. Specifically, the lava flow reached approximately 3.4 kilometers along Bonga Gully, 1.1 kilometer along Misi Gully, and 1 kilometer along Basud Gully. Additionally, there have been instances of lava collapse occurring up to 4 kilometers from the volcano’s crater. [...] According to NDRRMC SitRep No. 76, total of 9,876 families or 38,396 persons in 26 barangays were affected. Of which 5,016 families or 17,604 persons were served inside 24 evacuation centers and 418 families, or 1,453 persons were served outside evacuation centers. In addition, the Department of Education has suspended classes in six schools located within the 6-7 km PDZ due to the ongoing volcanic activity. Furthermore, 39 identified schools that were intended to function as evacuation centres for pre-evacuated families have also been affected. (IFRC, 19 Sep 2023)