Philippine Volcano’s Quakes, Cracks Send More Fleeing

LEMERY, Philippines (AP) – A Philippine volcano is shuddering continuously with earthquakes and opening cracks in roads as police blockade at-risk towns due to fears of a bigger eruption. A crater lake and nearby river have dried up in signs of the Taal volcano’s continuing restiveness, and officials have warned people against speculating the five-day eruption is waning. Many houses and farms have been damaged by volcanic ash, though no deaths have been reported after tens of thousands of people evacuated. The crammed evacuation shelters need more ash masks, portable toilets, bottled water and sleeping mats.