Pinatubo lahar threats far from over

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MANILA — More than two decades after Mt. Pinatubo erupted, significant deposits of lahar and other volcanic materials are still found on its slopes and on eight rivers.

“It’s been quite a long time since lahar events had occurred [during severe typhoons]. But this does not mean that the lahar threat is over. Extreme rainfall events pose lahar threats,” Solidum said in a telephone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

A chief volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that the rivers identified drains to Pampanga, Zambales and Tarlac provinces.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. said that the residents in Central Luzon provinces especially those near the volcano still has to remain vigilant.

This is in view of the upcoming heavy rains and typhoons that may come.

“People should be extra vigilant and ready with their contingency plans,” he said.

He also warned against residents settling inside the FVR Megadike as the area is used to trap lahar.

The U-shaped, 53-km long megadike is enclosing the villages of Bacolor town.

He added that there are  no certificates or permits for commercial or residential establishments in the area.

This is after several foreign and local companies have started to setup their equipment to produce “vibro” or finer sand beside the eastern side of the megadike in Barangay Maliwalu.