Philippines' Taal volcano status lowered to alert level 3, thousands can return home

Taal Volcano’s condition in the two weeks following the January 12 to 13, 2020 phreato-magmatic eruption or main eruptive phase has generally declined into less frequent volcanic activity, decelerated ground deformation of the Taal Volcano caldera and Taal Volcano island, edifice, and weak steam gas emissions from the main crater, PHIVOLCS said.

Residents on motorcycles ride back to their homes after the Philippine volcanology bureau lowered the alert level from 4 to 3

A resident unloads his belongings from a motorbike in front of his house after the Philippine volcanology bureau lowered the alert level from 4 to 3 and residents were allowed to return home in the town of Lemery, Batangas province.

Taal Volcano continues to emit white steam early Sunday morning as Phivolcs lowers volcano alert status to Level 3.

PHIVOLCS reminds the public that at Alert Level 3, sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can occur and threaten areas within the volcano island and nearby lakeshore.

A resident cleans ash from the front of his home after the Philippine volcanology bureau lowered the alert level from 4 to 3 and residents were allowed to return home in the town of Lemery, Batangas.

Volcano-affected residents, returning to their homes, load a motorcycle onto a jeepney.

A family of evacuees load relief food packs onto their motorcycle at an evacuation centre in Bauan town, Batangas.