Residents warned vs possible lahar flow near Bulusan due to ‘Dodong’

Mt. Bulusan viewed from Irosin town, Sorsogon. On Wednesday evening, it spewed ash plume cloud as high as 250 meters that prompted the Philippines Institute of Volcanolgy and Seismology to raise Alert level 1 over the volcano on Thursday. MA. LOURDES GAUFO/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON INTERN

Residents living within valleys and along river/stream channels near Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars due to rains brought by Typhoon “Dodong” (international name: Noul), the Philippine Institute and Volcanology said on Friday.

“The residents should take caution. But as of now there are no rains yet,” said Rainiel Mago, weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Southern Luzon said by phone.

Signal No. 1 was raised in Sorsogon as of 5 a.m. This means winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) are expected in at least 36 hours.

READ: ‘Dodong’ slows down; Signal No. 1 up in 7 areas

Heavy to intense rains are seen within the 300 km radius of Dodong. It was last observed 595 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar.

Alert Level 1 remained in effect as of 8 a.m., and weak emission of white steam was observed from the vents in the southwest and in the northwest upper slopes drifting towards southwest.

READ: Bulusan ‘abnormal;’ Alert Level 1 up — Phivolcs

No volcanic quakes were detected in the last 24 hours.

The local government units and the public are reminded that entry to the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, Phivolcs said.

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, it added. IDL