Storm ‘Feria’ bears down on central RP

Tropical storm "Feria" bore down yesterday on the central Philippines, site of an active volcano, but scientists said there was no major threat of deadly mudflows from the ash that has accumulated on its slopes.

By mid-afternoon, Feria centered on Catanduanes province, with sustained winds of up to 95 kilometers per hour and gusts of 120 kph. It was moving toward the general direction of northern Luzon.

Authorities issued a signal two alert – out of a maximum level four – over 12 provinces and warned of dangerous conditions for all boats. A signal one alert was in effect over at least 12 other provinces, including the rest of northern Luzon.

Mayon volcano has been quiet in the past few days and there is no major threat of lahar, or mudflows, from two recent eruptions, volcanologist Raymundo Punongbayan told local radio.

The forecast called for light to moderate rains in the area through early today.

"Eruptions on Sunday and Friday gave little material that can be mobilized by rains, but a warning is still up for people living near the volcano," Punongbayan said. "We are waiting for the next few days what to do next. But I think there is a big possibility that we can lower the alert level."

Mayon has been on alert level five – an ongoing eruption – since it ended months of simmering with a major explosion on June 24.

He said deformities caused by the eruption may have marred the volcano’s famed near-perfect cone but that future eruptions likely will restore it. – Christina Mendez