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Philippines

Philippines: NDCC Update - Sitrep No. 1 Mayon Volcano update

Attachments

DATE: 15 December 2009 as of 8:00 PM

Source: DOST-PHIVOLCS, OCDRC-V, ALBAY PDCC, AFP, JTF MAYON, DPWH V

I. SITUATION OVERVIEW

At 8:00 PM, 14 December 2009, PHIVOLCS- DOST raised the alert level of Mayon Volcano from ALERT LEVEL 2 to ALERT LEVEL 3 which means that magma is close to the crater and hazardous explosive eruption is imminent

Observations:

- After the 7:04 AM minor explosion, five (5) more minor ash explosions occurred at the summit crater of Mayon Volcano. Those explosions produced brownish to grayish ash clouds which were blown by strong winds towards the west-southwest and west-northwest which lasted for about three (3) minutes and were reflected as Explosion type quakes.

- Twenty three (23) volcanic quakes were also recorded from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM 14 December 2009.

- At 6:00 PM, 14 December 2009, incandescent materials originating from the summit crater was seen rolling downslope to about 3 km towards the direction of Bonga, Buyuan and Mabinit channels.

Recommendations

At Alert Level 3, PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano should be free from human activity because of sudden explosions that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.

- In addition, areas in the southeast that are outside the 7-km danger zone but within the 8 kilometers of the crater should be extra alert for increased volcanic activity.

II. PREPAREDNESS MEASURES

In view of the foregoing PDCC Albay orders the following measures:

- Mandatory evacuation of households in all areas within the 6 PDZ and the 6-km to 8-km EDZ up to the 8 km Extended High Risk Zone in the Southeast Quadrant particularly Buyuan, Mabinit and Bonga areas

- A total of 2,698 families/12,415 persons have been evacuated to the designated evacuation centers (TAB A)

- All Municipalities/City and Barangay DCCs around Mayon Volcano were advised to immediately convene, activate emergency operation and to execute evacuation procedures as ordered.

- Households in BDCCs likely to be affected were advised to prepare emergency provisions like clothing, basic utensils and beddings.

- Joint AFP-PNP Task Force Mayon (JTFM) will assist in the evacuation of the population and will strictly enforce checkpoints at strategic areas to ensure that nobody enters the Danger Zone at any time

- Suspension of classes in all schools within the 8 km radius of Mayon and school authorities are advised to devise scheduling and shifting strategies that would enable pupils regularly using these evacuation classrooms to revert to regular classes as soon as possible and for evacuee pupils to hold classes within the premises of the evacuation school. This is to minimize disruption in classes particularly given that evacuation period for Mayon eruption last between 42 to 87 days

- All PDCC member agencies to execute respective contingency plans and assist those populations who will be evacuated

- BRTTH, Provincial Hospitals of PHO and the CHOs and RHUs within the Mayon area are put on Code Blue alert. PHO to closely coordinate with DOH and BRTTH in preparations for the health requirements particularly WATSAN in the evacuation centers

- AHEM to assign its paramedic units in assisting LGUs and barangays in the evacuation procedures to be undertaken

- PSWDO to immediately ensure the availability of necessary basic needs in the identified evacuation centers and to continue repacking of food items to be distributed immediately to evacuees

- PNP together with the Barangay Tanods to ensure the security of the houses to be vacated during evacuation

- Residents, motorists and school children to protect themselves for possible ash inhalation by covering their nose with damped cloth or handkerchief to prevent health problems