Bulusan erupts anew; Alert Level 1 remains

MANILA, Philippines — Mount Bulusan had another phreatic eruption early yesterday morning, forcing concerned local government units (LGUs) to again evacuate affected residents of Sorsogon towns to safety.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the Bulusan Volcano Network recorded the eruption at 3:37 a.m.

The event lasted for some 18 minutes based on the seismic record, though the eruption plume was not visible on camera monitors.

Phivolcs again reminded that Alert Level 1 status prevails over Bulusan volcano, which means that it is currently in an abnormal condition.

The agency reminded LGUs and the public that entry into the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone must be strictly prohibited, and that vigilance in the two-kilometer Extended Danger Zone on the southeast sector must be exercised due to the increased possibilities of sudden and hazardous phreatic eruptions.

“Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit, as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” Phivolcs said.

“Furthermore, people living within valleys and along river/stream channels especially on the southeast, southwest and northwest sector of the edifice should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall should phreatic eruption occur,” it added.

Phivolcs gave assurance that it is closely monitoring the volcano’s condition and any new development will be announced for the benefit of all concerned.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesman Mark Timbal said evacuation of affected residents has been carried out.

According to him, reports so far show that at least 103 families or around 438 individuals from the town of Juban have been brought to evacuation centers.

Timbal said the NDRRMC has also received reports of ashfall incidents in the municipalities of Casiguran, Juban and Irosin.

Mount Bulusan had a sudden 17-minute phreatic eruption also on Sunday last week, forcing residents to flee to safer areas for a few days.

Flights canceled

The Manila International Airport Authority said that some 10 domestic flights from Cebu Pacific (CEB) and its sister company, Cebgo, and PAL Express were canceled yesterday due to volcanic activities at Mount Bulusan.

CEB canceled four domestic flights from Manila to Legaspi and Naga, and its turn-around flights, 5J 325/326 Manila-Legaspi-Manila, and 5J 327/328 Manila-Naga-Manila; Cebgo flights DG6111/6112 Manila-Naga-Manila; and PAL Express flights 2P 2923/2924 Manila-Legaspi-Manila, and flights 2P 2919/2920 Manila-Legaspi-Manila.

Phivolcs advised civil aviation authorities to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit, as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft when sucked by the aircraft’s engines. – Cet Dematera, Rudy Santos