Telebabad

A plume of steam and ash is seen from Taal Volcano, Batangas province, Philippines on Thursday. Thousands have been evacuated from villages around a volcano near the Philippine capital.  The Taal Volcano has blasted a dark gray plume into the sky.  Authorities have raised the alert level, which means magma is near or at the surface of the volcano and a hazardous eruption is imminent.  An eruption last year (2020) displaced hundreds of thousands of people and briefly closed Manila's international airport.  Authorities said it's too early to know if the volcano's current unrest will lead to a full-blown eruption. With evacuations underway officials are facing another problem.  They have to make sure the emergency shelters do not become coronavirus hot spots. Displaced villagers have to wear masks.  They are also sheltered in tents set safely apart. Most evacuation camps have set up isolation areas for those who display Covid-19 sypmptoms.    

  The Philippine Coast Guard personnel evacuated residents of "Pulo" or Taal Volcano Island after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned of a possible phreatic explosion following an increase in the number of recorded earthquakes on the island. The local government of Talisay, Batangas ordered the evacuation of the islanders, mostly fish farmers, in preparation for the volcanic eruption.  About 60 residents were evacuated by Coast Guard and police. Authorities explained to them why they needed to evacuate.  Pets such as dogs will also be included in the evacuation. According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Agoncillo, Batangas, it is forbidden to approach and stay on volcano island due to the imminent danger there. “Pwersahan pong pinalilikas ang mga taong nasa pulo at mahigpit pa rin pong ipinagbabawal sa ating mga kababayan ang paglapit at manatili sa mismong isla dahil sa nakaambang panganib,” Agoncil...