Minimal lahar flows from Bulusan during thunderstorm, alert level remains low
A SMALL volume of mudflow was recorded along the southwestern slope of Bulusan on Sunday evening, but no major change was detected in the volcano’s low level of unrest, according to state volcanologists.
In an advisory on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the lahar flow lasted for 54 minutes along Calang Creek during a thunderstorm in Sorsogon province.
The creek located in the town of Irosin is the major channel along the southwestern slopes of Bulusan.
The provincial government of Sorsogon said in a separate report on Monday that minimal lahar flow was also recorded along several communities in Juban town.
“Alert level 1 still prevails over Bulusan Volcano, which means that it is currently at low-level unrest,” said Phivolcs, which has a five-level alert system for volcanoes.
In the 24-hour period from 5 a.m. Sunday, Phivolcs recorded seven volcanic earthquakes in Bulusan, 559 tons of sulfur dioxide flux and a moderate plume emission of up to 150 meters high.
The four-kilometer permanent danger zone around the volcano remains strictly off limits.
Sudden steam-driven eruptions remain a threat under alert level 1, according to Phivolcs.
The provincial government said disaster management teams are monitoring the situation and are prepared to evacuate 19 households that are at high risk should the lahar flow continue.
Bulusan erupted on June 5 and 12, prompting evacuation of residents in some areas that were affected by ash fall. Phivolcs raised the alert level to one after the first eruption this month.
Light to moderate rains with possible sudden heavy downpour are expected in the province and the rest of Bicol Region due to a low pressure area east of the country, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.
“This weather disturbance remains less likely to develop into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours,” PAGASA said in an advisory issued at 11 a.m. Monday. — MSJ
