Philippines: Hazardous explosion of Taal Volcano remains imminent, Phivolcs warns

Lava and broad columns of ash illuminated by lightning shot from an erupting volcano south of the Philippine capital grounds hundreds of flights amid an alert for a possible 'explosive eruption'.

Residents living near the errupting Taal Volcano evacuate in Lemery, Batangas.

Residents living near the errupting Taal Volcano evacuate in Lemery.

Ashfall and muddy roads have made evacuation difficult.

Motorists negotiate a muddied road after Taal volcano began spewing ash over Tanauan town, Batangas province south of Manila.

A resident uses a shovel to clear mud and ash spewed by Taal volcano at a development in Tanauan town, Batangas province south of Manila

Residents aboard a government truck evacuate to a safer place after Taal volcano began spewing ash over Tanauan town, Batangas province south of Manila

People's Park in Tagaytay City covered in ashfall.

Ashfall after the eruption of the Taal volcano is seen in Tagaytay City.

Supplies of face masks ran out in many stores in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the south. The government warned business owners that they will be dealt with the full force of the law if they unreasonably increase the prices of face masks amid a surge in demand due to the ongoing eruption of Taal Volcano.

A rooster crows as he is covered in ash from Taal Volcano's eruption.

A man walks along ash fall covered plants and equipment as Taal Volcano continues to spew ash.

Residents clean ash outside their homes as Taal Volcano still spews ash.

Residents evacuate as Taal Volcano erupts.

Residents in Batangas have fled their homes following Taal Volcano's eruption

A man uses an umbrella to shield him from ashfalls as Taal Volcano erupts

A house covered with ash, is damaged by a fallen tree in Lemery, Batangas

A youth living at the foot of Taal volcano rides an outrigger canoe while the volcano spews ash as seen from Tanauan town in Batangas province, south of Manila.