The most active volcano in the Philippines exhibited a gentle release of lava cascading down its slopes on Monday, raising concerns among tens of thousands of individuals who may soon need to hastily flee the imminent threat of a violent and life-endangering eruption.

Since volcanic activity escalated last week, over 12,600 individuals residing in predominantly impoverished farming communities within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of Mayon Volcano’s crater have already evacuated as per mandatory orders, the Associated Press reports.

However, there are still thousands more who remain within the permanent danger zone below Mayon, an area officially declared off-limits to human habitation but where generations have resided and farmed due to a lack of alternative options.

As the volcano commenced expelling lava on Sunday night, Teresito Bacolcol, the director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, cautioned that if the eruption intensifies, the high-risk zone surrounding Mayon might be expanded.

In such an event, individuals within any newly designated danger zones should be prepared to swiftly evacuate to emergency shelters.

Written by staff