Two towns in Albay were blanketed by heavy ashfall after Mayon Volcano erupted on Saturday afternoon, as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology continues to closely monitor the volcano's activity.

Residents in Albay were caught off guard when Mayon Volcano suddenly erupted at around 5:38 p.m. on Saturday. Lava flowed down the volcano's slopes and generated a pyroclastic density current on its southwestern side. Videos and photos taken by residents showed a massive, thick column of smoke billowing from the volcano.

The towns of Camalig and Guinobatan in Albay bore the brunt of the ashfall. Thick ash covered homes, crops, roads, animals, and residents in the affected areas.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the eruption was caused by a lava collapse near the Mi-is Gully. Phivolcs also said this was the largest pyroclastic density current recorded since January 1 of this year, when Mayon Volcano was raised to Alert Level 3.

The volume of ash was so heavy that it reduced road visibility to near-zero levels, causing delays for motorists in the area.

The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office immediately distributed face masks to residents as protection, particularly for those with existing respiratory conditions.