Philippines on alert for deadly volcanic mudflows

The Philippines has put civil defence personnel on alert for possible deadly volcanic mudflows as a tropical storm bears down on a volcano that has been spitting ash for weeks.

President Gloria Arroyo said the civil defence office had prepared contingency measures in case rain from the storm mixed with ash on the slopes of the Bulusan volcano to form deadly mudflows.

Mrs Arroyo said cargo planes, helicopters and a train were ready to travel to the Bicol peninsula, south of Manila, to help people who might be displaced by any mudflow or volcanic eruption.

The Philippine vulcanology institute said it had detected four volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours and has warned that prolonged rainfall might trigger life-threatening mudflows.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA