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Phivolcs warns planes vs flying near Bulusan Volcano


State volcanologists warned planes against flying near restive Bulusan Volcano in Bicol, saying volcanic ash around the area may endanger aircraft. In a 5 p.m. update posted on its website Monday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) also advised residents at the northwest and southwest areas near Bulusan to watch out for ash fall. “Due to the prevailing wind, residents located in the northwest and southwest sectors of the volcano are advised to take precautions against ash falls. Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircraft," it said. It added people near valleys and streams are strongly advised to be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows in case of heavy and continuous rainfall. Phivolcs said the average sulfur dioxide flux for Monday was 338 tons/day, following an ash explosion in the morning. After the ash explosion, it registered weak to moderate steaming and two volcanic quakes. Last Monday morning’s explosion dispersed ash in Cogon, Gulang-gulang and Bolos villages in Irosin town in Sorsogon; and in Sitio Caladgao in Bura-buran village in Juban town, Phivolcs said. Alternate route The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started mapping out alternate route for roads that may be affected should restive Bulusan Volcano in Bicol erupt. DPWH Bicol officer-in-charge Danilo Dequito said that this is part of the department’s “Mt. Bulusan Watch Program." “(This) disaster preparedness program includes the identification of possible alternate routes for identified affected national road network near the area, provisions of warning signs, dissemination of information materials and deployment of heavy equipment and maintenance crew for the possible evacuation efforts," the DPWH said in an article posted on its website Monday afternoon. It added it is coordinating its actions with the Phivolcs. Developing the Bulusan Watch program are the DPWH Bicol regional office and Sorsogon Sub-District Engineering Office. The plan is patterned from the disaster plan for Mayon Volcano, in coordination with Phivolcs, the DPWH said. Dequito added their office is now constantly coordinating with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council for the strategic disaster preparatory efforts of the government. Among the identified alternate routes in case of massive lahar flow at Daang Maharlika Highway (DMH) Cogon Section in Irosin Sorsogon are:

  • East Coast Road;
  • Abuyog (Junction DMH) to Gubat-Barcelona Road;
  • Bulusan-Irosin Road; and
  • Irosin-Matnog Road (DMH) for traffic from Manila to Matnog, vice versa.
Traffic from Bulan, Sorsogon (travelers from Masbate) may take the West Coast Road from: Bulusan-Magallanes Road; Magallanes-Juban Road; and Juban-Sorsogon Road. In case of massive ash fall, if Irosin Section is impassable, traffic from Matnog to Manila and vice versa may use the Bulusan-Barcelona-Gubat Road and Gubat-Abuyog Road. — LBG, GMANews.TV
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