ReliefWeb

PHILIPPINES

The Philippines raised Alert Level 3 for the Mayon Volcano on 15 Sep 2014, indicating that the volcano is exhibiting relatively high unrest and that a hazardous eruption is possible. The alert level remains in effect as of 27 Oct with more than 58,000 people evacuated. OCHA deployed staff to Albay close to Mayon Volcano between 16-22 Oct to support and assess the Government‘s ongoing response, both at the national and local levels. The mission also served to identify the gaps in assistance, particularly in the field of coordination and information management. Sustainable maintenance of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and protection issues remain of concern in evacuation centres.

58,000 people evacuated

BANGLADESH

A coalition of Islamist groups called a day-long hartal (strike) for Sunday, 26 Oct, demanding the immediate arrest of former Telecommunications Minister Latif Siddique. There were no reports of violent incidences. Past experience shows that agitated opposition activists often resort to hardline measures during hartals and are prone to engaging in violent clashes with law-enforcing agencies.
The escalation of violence remains a major security concern.

INDIA

The Indian Meteorological Department issued a warning for Severe Cyclonic Storm Nilofar on 27 Oct, which is expected to make landfall on the north Gujarat coast on 31 Oct. The cyclone is currently centred southwest of Mumbai with wind speeds of 90-100 kilometres (km) per hour at its centre, gusting up to 110 km per hour. Advisories were issued to offshore fisherman to return to land and for coastal communities to be moved to safer locations.

THAILAND

Heavy rain affected several villages in north-western Thailand, causing rivers to overflow and flooding. Due to the overflow of Lam Huai Mae Wa River in Thoen District, Lampang Province, more than 300 households across five villages were severely affected as of 22 Oct.

300 households affected