Families evacuated due to Mayon explosion now at 3,061

Due to the series of phreatic explosions by Mayon Volcano, the number of families evacuated from the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan and Malilipot has now climbed to 3,061 which is equivalent to 12,044 persons. (Photo By Top1963 / Tryfon Topalidis – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — Due to the series of phreatic explosions by Mayon Volcano, the number of families evacuated from the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan and Malilipot has now climbed to 3,061 which is equivalent to 12,044 persons.

This was disclosed by National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Mina Marasigan in a briefing before noon Monday.

“Meron na po tayong naitala na 3,061 families or 12,044 persons na na-evacuate dahil po sa pagbabanta po nung pagputok nitong Bulkang Mayon, ito po ay mula sa munisipyo ng Camalig, Guinobatan, at Malilipot,” she added.

As this develops, Marasigan said forced evacuations are ongoing in Legaspi and Daraga following reports of lava flow in Barangay Maiisi which is only three kilometers from the Mayon Volcano.

No figures are available yet as of this posting.

The NDRRMC spokesperson said the police and military is helping with the evacuation aside from ensuring that none of the evacuated residents decide to return home on the excuse of checking on their crops and picking orchids. This precaution is to ensure that none of the residents are exposed to danger needlessly.

Also, Marasigan said that 10 evacuation centers are now operating and sheltering residents evacuated due to lava flow and ash falls thrown from Mayon Volcano.

The NDRRMC spokesperson added that they still have no figure or exact number on the number of livestock evacuated.