Over 200 residents evacuated as Mt. Bulusan erupts anew
A bird’s eye view of Bulusan volcano spewing ash as seen from Irosin town, Sorsogon province, south of Manila. (Photo by Mylene Sierra / AFP)
LEGAZPI CITY — At least 202 residents of Irosin town in Sorsogon province were evacuated Tuesday night, April 29, following another phreatic eruption of Mount Bulusan, according to the Sorsogon Provincial Information Office.
A total of 59 families from Barangays Cogon and Mondon were relocated to Gallanosa National High School and the town’s designated evacuation shelter.
In its bulletin released Tuesday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the eruption occurred at 7:43 p.m. and lasted about 77 minutes. The eruption generated ash plumes that drifted southwest, with rumbling sounds heard in the villages of Cogon and Bagsangan in Irosin.
As of 8 p.m. the same night, Phivolcs recorded 54 volcanic earthquakes and measured sulfur dioxide emissions at an average of 548 tonnes per day — more than double the baseline level of 200 tonnes/day.
An ashfall measuring up to one centimeter was reported in the Irosin barangays of Cogon, Tinampo, Monbon, Bolos, Gulang-Gulang, Gabao, Bulawan, and Macawayan. In Bulan town, ashfall was also observed in Somagongsong, Beguin, Aquino, San Francisco, Calomagon, Inararan, Cadandanan, Dolos, Zone 7, and Polot. Traces of ash were likewise reported in Barangay Guruyan in the town of Juban.
This marks the second phreatic eruption of Mt. Bulusan in as many days, with the first occurring Monday morning and affecting several of the same areas.
In response, the Bureau of Fire Protection and other government agencies have initiated clearing operations in ashfall-affected villages and major roads.
READ: Bulusan Volcano erupts anew
