In Philippines, Workers Start to Tap Crater Lake

Seeking to avert flooding, workers began draining a volcanic lake in the Philippines today, after thousands of nearby residents were evacuated from their homes.

Water began trickling out of Mt. Pinatubo as workers carved out a small channel to drain the rising crater lake.

A “gentle” flow of water from the volcano’s crater spilled into the Bucao River nearby, apparently posing no immediate threat to villages, said Delfin Garcia of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

He said the flow was very slow, and a crew of 25 workers--including United States Geological Survey volcanologist Chris Newhall--was trying to enlarge the channel atop the 4,740-foot mountain.

Scientists say it might take several days to reach their target of releasing 25% of the crater’s water.

Worried that the operation could unleash a deluge of mud and water, thousands of residents trailed out of Botolan on Wednesday in vans, cars, tractors and carts pulled by water buffalo. Officials have said the evacuation would involve as many as 40,000 people.

Raymundo Punongbayan, director of the Philippine volcano institute, cited a “20% chance of the worst-case scenario” in which a violent surge of water is unleashed, collecting mud and burying villages as it rushes down the slopes of Pinatubo.