Mayon Volcano eruption blankets Bicol, triggers evacuations

The Mayon Volcano eruption erupted early Thursday, sending a towering ash column over the Bicol region of the Philippines. Authorities have declared a Level 3 alert, urging residents in the danger zone to relocate.

Mayon Volcano eruption impacts local communities

Airlines have suspended flights to nearby airports, and schools across the province remain closed. Farmers fear crop damage as ash settles on fields, potentially affecting the upcoming harvest.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and have ordered evacuations in high‑risk zones,” said a spokesperson from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

The ash plume reached ↑ 10 km altitude before drifting southward, blanketing the sky with a grey veil. For broader context, see Reuters coverage of the event.

Dispatch from: Eleanor Cross

Chief Washington Correspondent