Lava flows from the crater of Mount Mayon volcano (Source: Romeo Ranoco/Reuters) Manila, January 26 (VNA) - The Philippinesis preparing for a possible three-month-long emergency in areas around eruptingMount Mayon, said the local disaster agency.
Mount Mayon in the central province ofAlbay remained at alert level 4, a notch below the highest level, as itcontinued to spew lava, ash and other superheated materials, displacing morethan 81,000 people living nearby.
Romina Marasigan, spokeswoman of thecountry's disaster agency, said evacuated residents will have to live in 69temporary shelters for a long time.
Food and other supplies remain adequate butconcerns are growing over health and hygiene conditions in these shelters.Respiratory illnesses are possible because of volcanic ash, she said.
"We remain on red alert," saidMarasigan, adding that 69,672 evacuees were housed in schools, while nearly12,000 others took shelter in tents or went to relatives in more securelocations. Ninety-seven flights have so far been cancelled.
Despite being a popular tourist attraction,Mount Mayon has erupted around 50 times in the past 400 years. Its 1814 eruptionkilled 1,200 people and buried three towns under mud and rock.-VNA
VNA
