Several barangays in the towns of Juban and Irosin in Sorsogon suffered from ashfall on Monday after a phreatic eruption from Bulusan Volcano.
A total of 118 individuals, or 33 families, from Barangay Cogon in Irosin and Barangay Puting Sapa in Juban were evacuated due to ash fall from Bulusan Volcano, according to Philippine National Police Region 5 Director Andre Dizon, as reported by Carlo Mateo on Super Radyo dzBB.
Dizon said the affected residents were relocated to evacuation centers for safety.
Thick ash fall was recorded in Barangays Puting Sapa and Buraburan in Juban, while moderate ash was reported in Barangay Guruyan and two other neighboring areas.
Motorists were also advised to drive carefully and slow down when passing through affected roads.
Bulusan Volcano’s phreatic eruption occurred at 4:36 a.m. and lasted until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
A bent plume rose from the volcano’s crater, reaching up to 4.5 kilometers high and drifting toward the west and southwest.
Following the eruption, PHIVOLCS raised the alert status from zero to Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest.
Ashfall was reported in Barangays Cogon and Bolos in Irosin, as well as in Barangays Puting Sapa, Guruyan, Buraburan, and Tulatula Sur in Juban.
“Communities that experience ashfall must take all necessary precautions and use protective masks or wet cloth to prevent ash inhalation,” PHIVOLCS said.
“A pyroclastic density current (PDC) or ‘uson’ descended the southwestern slopes and traveled within three (3) kilometers from the summit vent,” it added
PHILVOLCS advised that a four-kilometer radius around the craters should be kept off-limits.
“Vigilance in the 2-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast sector must be exercised due to the possible impacts of volcanic hazards such as PDCs, ballistic projectiles, rockfall, avalanches and ashfall on these danger areas,” it added.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding flights near Bulusan Volcano, setting vertical flight restrictions from the surface up to 21,000 feet.
CAAP said the NOTAM will be in effect from 8:28 a.m. on Monday, April 28, until 4:36 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29.
“Flight operators are advised to avoid flying near the volcano due to possible hazards from sudden explosive eruptions,” CAAP said.