MANILA, Philippines - More than 9,000 families fled towns near the slopes of Mayon Volcano as government vulcanologists warned of an imminent eruption within days.

A report by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council said a total of 9,200 families within the 8-kilometer danger zone have sought temporary shelter in government evacuation centers as of Monday morning.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the government is preparing for the possible evacuation of more than 21,000 families or a total of 120,143 people in 56 barangays near the volcano. He said incessant rains in the past 3-4 days could bring lahar flow to 13 towns near Mt. Mayon.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said seismic activity near the volcano increased in number and size in the past 24 hours, with a total of 1,942 volcanic earthquakes detected by the seismic network. The agency on Sunday raised the alert level status from 3 to 4, which meant that a hazardous eruption is possible within days.

PHIVOLCS said sulfur dioxide emission rate near Mayon remained high at 6,089 tons per day while audible booming and rumbling sounds were first reported in the eastern flank of the volcano at 2:55 p.m. Sunday.

The agency said lava has started flowing down the Bonga-Buyuan, Miisi and Lidong gullies and has reached 5 kilometers downslope from the summit. Lava fountains reaching as high as 200 meters were observed at the volcano's crater thrice Sunday night.

Salceda said the provincial government is coordinating with barangay leaders for the orderly evacuation of residents near the volcano. He said a total of 4,000 sacks from the United Nations World Food Programme would be distributed to evacuees.

He said each family will receive 5 kilos of rice per day.

The provincial government has also allotted P6.4 million for "noche buena" and "media noche" packages for the families who will be spending Christmas this year in the evacuation centers.

Salceda said the provincial government needs at least P112 million in emergency funds to help affected residents for the next 47 days, and P178 million if the emergency extends to 92 days. He said the PDCC has also allotted P15 million for farmers whose crops will be affected by the volcano.