THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned the people living near Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon of another possible phreatic eruption, as well as lahar flow in case of heavy rains.Undersecretary Renato Solidum of Phivolcs said in a Laging Handa public briefing Monday, June 6, that the volcano may erupt again without warning in the coming days, weeks or months, stressing that it is currently in abnormal condition.He said Sunday’s (June 5) phreatic eruption of Bulusan happened without warning.The Phivolcs said that it had recorded a total of 27 weak volcanic earthquakes until 4 p.m. Sunday following the eruption, which happened at 10:37 a.m.The eruption at the volcano’s summit crater produced a “sluggish gray ash plume that rose more than a kilometer and dispersed wet ash to the west coincident with rainfall over the edifice,” said Phivolcs.“Thin fine ashfall fell on the general northwestern sector of the edifice and affected the barangays of Puting Sapa, Añog, Guruyan, Catanusan, Buraburan, Bacolod, and Sangkayon in Juban and Bolos in Irosin, Sorsogon Province,” it added.It also reported rumbling sound and sulfurous odor that were observed by residents of Barangays Añog, Guruyan, and Catanusan.After the eruption, degassing was observed from the northwest vent on the summit for the first time this year, the agency said.Solidum said there is no need yet to raise the alert level of Bulusan Volcano from 1 and 2, as there are no signs yet of magmatic eruption.“Dapat mamaga ang buong bulkan, mula ilalim hanggang sa taas. Wala pa pong nakikitang ganoon. Pagpapakulo ng tubig pa sa ngayon at maraming usok ang lumalabas,” he said.(There must be ground deformation, from the bottom to the crater, but that’s not happening yet. What is happening is just steaming.)He said, though, that residents living near the volcano must watch out for possible lahar flow, especially during heavy and non-stop rains.The Phivolcs said Sunday that fine ashfall can cause irritation and breathing problems especially among the vulnerable population, which includes the elderly, children, expecting mothers and those with respiratory disorders.It can also be particularly dangerous when inhaled in copious amounts, said Solidum.The agency also said that ashfall even when thin but having high amounts of sulfur can also cause irritation.“Affected populations are advised to protect their mouths and noses using N95 grade face masks or wet cloth or towel. Motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution as ash can cause poor visibility and, when wet, can make roads slippery,” said Phivolcs.“People living within valleys and along river/stream channels especially on the southeast, southwest and northwest sector of the edifice should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall should phreatic eruption occur,” it added.Solidum on Monday, June 6, also warned local government units and the public against entry into the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), while he said vigilance in the two-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast sector must be exercised.He said no family must be living inside the PDZ, stressing they must be relocated.“Nandyan po parati ang peligro sa kanilang mga buhay. Dapat wala pong bahay sa loob. They must be relocated,” he said.He added that they have not yet recommended evacuation for residents living outside the PDZ, but the LGU can impose a temporary evacuation if needed.“Kung makapal talaga ang pagbagsak ng abo, they can evacuate,” said Solidum.Civil aviation authorities have also been advised to tell pilots not to avoid fly close to the volcano’s summit, as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.