Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Mayon Volcano emits steam and lava in the early morning of June 27, 2023 in Legazpi City, Albay. Mac Obrero Tataro, ABS-CBN News

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Rowegie Abanto

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176775509309320230627-mayon-volcano-ABS.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mayon Volcano emits steam and lava in the early morning of June 27, 2023, in Legazpi City, Albay. <em>Mac Obrero Tataro, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Potentially threatening lahar flows could hit nearby areas of active Mayon Volcano in Albay as the weather bureau PAGASA forecast that the province might experience heavy rainfall on Wednesday, January 7.</p><p>A 5-step alert system for <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/6/phivolcs-to-raise-mayon-volcano-alert-level-3-1314">Mayon was raised to 3</a> from 2 on Tuesday as the volcano showed signs of a magmatic eruption and dome collapse pyroclastic density current (PDC), locally known as &quot;uson.&quot;</p><p>On Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the volcano is still under Alert Level 3 as it continues to exhibit intensified or magmatic unrest.</p><p>Phivolcs also warned of possible ballistic fragments, lava flows and lava fountaining, PDCs, &quot;moderate-sized&quot; explosions, as well as lahar flows during heavy and prolonged rainfall.</p><p>In a weather advisory issued 11 a.m. Wednesday, PAGASA cautioned that Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Albay, where the volcano is located, could experience heavy rains reaching 50-100 mm.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>EVACUATION UNDERWAY</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Department of the Interior and Local Government issued a similar advisory Wednesday warning residents of the potential hazards, saying downpours could trigger channel-confined lahar and sediment-laden streamflows in areas where PDC deposits have accumulated.</p><p>Danger zones near Mayon have been <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/6/ocd-orders-evacuations-in-mayon-volcano-danger-zones-2350">under evacuation orders since Tuesday</a>, and local authorities in Albay told radio DZMM on Wednesday that evacuation efforts were still underway in the 6-kilometer risk areas near the volcano. </p><p>They added that they might request help if the unrest extends in the next months, especially when the volcano reaches Alert Level 4 — a situation where thousands of residents would need to be brought to safety.</p><div> </div><div><strong>SAFETY MEASURES FOR BICOL TOURISTS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism in the Bicol Region advised tourists visiting the province to follow protocols to ensure their safety amid the continued unrest of Mayon Volcano.</p><p>Potential visitors are urged to check their flight status, bring medical-grade face masks in case of an ashfall, and stay away from the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone, said Herbie Aguas, director of the Bicol tourism department.</p><p>The official said that they would designate viewing sites outside of the danger zones, noting that many tourists flock to the province whenever Mayon exhibits magmatic eruption because of the potential sight of glowing lava flow. <strong>— With a report from Vince Villar</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cFrqQRhdPYc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong> <span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zJ12TDZBiSs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div>

<p>Weather bureau PAGASA forecast that the province might experience heavy rainfall on Wednesday, January 7.</p>

Weather bureau PAGASA forecast that the province might experience heavy rainfall on Wednesday, January 7.

Authorities warn of possible lahar flows in Albay amid Mayon unrest

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Authorities warn of possible lahar flows in Albay amid Mayon unrest

Rowegie Abanto,

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 07, 2026 11:15 AM PHT

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Albay

Mayon Volcano

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