Ash from Bulusan Volcano falls on nearby areas; 34k people affected

Ash from Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon fell on several areas in nearby towns on Friday and Saturday, affecting some 34,000 residents, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said late Saturday.

In a report posted on its website early Sunday, the NDRRMC said traces of ash from Bulusan fell on Barangays Bacolod, Buraburan, Mapili, and Puting Sapa in Juban on Saturday.

"The event was followed by continuous emission of a voluminous to moderate-volume dirty white plume, later turning into a white steam plume, that reached 250 meters high [from] the summit before drifting southwest," it said.

Bulusan had generated two steam-driven explosions last Wednesday. Signs of volcanic activity were also noted Thursday and Friday.

On Saturday, it said a low-level ash cloud "possibly from a short pyroclastic current' was generated over the northwest upper slopes, but cloud cover partially obscured observation.

The NDRRMC reminded the public against venturing into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone.

Families affected

The NDRRMC said Friday's explosion affected 6,884 families or 34,280 people in 22 barangays in Barcelona, Bulusan, Irosin, Casiguran and Juban in Sorsogon.

For its part, the Department of Education conducted on-site monitoring in pre-identified hazard areas including Inlagadian, Casiguran and Juban.

Schools in the permanent danger zone had conducted emergency meetings to secure vital records and learning materials.

NOTAMs

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issued Notices to Airmen that Bacon and Bulan Airports are closed from May 7 to Aug. 7 "as a precaution in order to mitigate any possible effects of Mt. Bulusan eruption." — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News