DPWH near Bulusan on high alert after new ash explosion

Government public works crews near restive Mt. Bulusan in Bicol were placed on high alert Friday a day after the volcano spewed ash anew Thursday. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported the Department of Public Works and Highways' Bicol regional office deployed teams to clear roads affected by possible ash fall. DPWH teams were also sent to portions of the Maharlika Highway near Bulusan to place early warning devices in case of zero visibility. On Thursday, Bulusan showed signs of life anew after days of relative quiet, producing grayish steam and ash column that rose to about 500 meters above the crater rim and drifted southwest. Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Friday that at least four volcanic earthquakes were detected in the last 24 hours. No steaming was observed at the northwest and southeast vents while weak to very weak steam emission were seen rising from the summit crater. No sulfur dioxide flux was detected during the measurements conducted Thursday, Phivolcs said in its Friday bulletin. Phivolcs said Alert Level 1 remains enforced over Bulusan Volcano area. It reminded the public not to enter the 4-km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) because the area is at risk to sudden steam and ash explosions. "Because of the prevailing wind direction, people residing in the northwest and southwest sectors of the volcano are reminded to take precautions against ashfalls. Civil aviation authorities must also warn pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircrafts," it said. — RSJ, GMANews.TV