In Pics: 'No-Go' area declared around Mayon volcano in Philippines
Authored By Wion Web Desk
Published: Jan 28, 2018, 20:21 IST | Updated: Jan 28, 2018, 20:21 IST
Millions of tonnes of ash and rocks from an erupting Philippine volcano could bury nearby communities due to heavy rain
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Philippine volcano
The number of Filipinos fleeing from the erupting Mayon volcano to safe zones has swelled to nearly 90,000, officials said Monday, worsening a sanitation crisis in the already stretched relief camps.
President Rodrigo Duterte flew to the central city of Legazpi on Monday to assess the disaster zone, some two weeks after the country's most active volcano began belching spectacular but potentially lethal ash columns, lava and rocks.
President Rodrigo Duterte flew to the central city of Legazpi on Monday to assess the disaster zone, some two weeks after the country's most active volcano began belching spectacular but potentially lethal ash columns, lava and rocks.
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Shadow of volcano
Authorities have thrown a nine kilometre (5.6 mile) no-go zone around the mountain with the vast majority of those living in its shadow now safely outside that radius.
But sanitary conditions in the safe-zones are far from ideal.
Al Francis Bichara, the governor of Albay province, said authorities expect the evacuees will need to stay at the camps for at least a month.
But sanitary conditions in the safe-zones are far from ideal.
Al Francis Bichara, the governor of Albay province, said authorities expect the evacuees will need to stay at the camps for at least a month.
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Lack of shelter
But he warned limited local government resources were being stretched, citing the lack of toilets at the shelters, where he said an average of 200 people now took turns using one.
"We lack 1,222 toilets," he said, adding the ideal was one toilet for every 50 evacuee (1,800 total).
After being briefed by officials Duterte said he was worried about the lack of toilets.
"One worry really is the sanitation," he told the officials, adding his government would try to send as many portable cabins as possible in the coming days.
Officials said they were confident the no-go zone radius was large enough to keep people safe from even a large explosive eruption.
"We lack 1,222 toilets," he said, adding the ideal was one toilet for every 50 evacuee (1,800 total).
After being briefed by officials Duterte said he was worried about the lack of toilets.
"One worry really is the sanitation," he told the officials, adding his government would try to send as many portable cabins as possible in the coming days.
Officials said they were confident the no-go zone radius was large enough to keep people safe from even a large explosive eruption.
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Mayon volcano spews ash
A farmer works on a rice farm while Mount Mayon volcano spews ash during a new eruption in Daraga, Albay province, Philippines.
Mayon had emitted fountains of lava on Friday but bad weather was preventing observation of the volcano's activity on Saturday.
Mayon had emitted fountains of lava on Friday but bad weather was preventing observation of the volcano's activity on Saturday.
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Mount Mayon evacuation
Displaced Filipinos stay at an evacuation center after Mount Mayon volcano spews lava and other materials, in Legazpi city, Albay province, Philippines.
The volcano continued to spew lava and ash while ankle-deep floods clogged streets and forced the relocation of some evacuees staying in temporary shelters in low-lying areas.
The volcano continued to spew lava and ash while ankle-deep floods clogged streets and forced the relocation of some evacuees staying in temporary shelters in low-lying areas.
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Relief goods
Soldiers and civilians prepare relief goods to be distributed to evacuees who are affected by the eruption of Mount Mayon volcano, in Legazpi city, Albay province, Philippines.
Provincial disaster relief head Cedric Daep said he expects the number of people evacuated to increase as residents flee from areas threatened by lahar.
Provincial disaster relief head Cedric Daep said he expects the number of people evacuated to increase as residents flee from areas threatened by lahar.