Popocatpetl volcanic activity puts area on high alert

[Judi Lynn]

11. Millions in Mexico warned to prepare for evacuation as Popocatpetl volcano spews ash

By Sugam Pokharel, Karol Suarez, Fidel Gutierrez and Tara John, CNN

Updated 10:13 PM EDT, Mon May 22, 2023

Mexico City
CNN
—
Millions of people in Mexico have been warned to prepare for a possible evacuation after increased activity from the country’s most dangerous active volcano, which has been spewing ash into several nearby towns since last week, according to authorities.

Ash from Popocatépetl volcano, which is in a central part of the country, has delayed flights in Mexico City and led authorities to close schools in dozens of municipalities.

Some 25 million people live in a 60-mile radius of the volcano, which is about 45 miles southeast of Mexico City and located between the states of Morelos, Puebla and state of Mexico.

On Sunday, the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) increased its volcanic threat level to “yellow phase 3,” which calls on some 3 million people who live in towns and villages adjacent to the volcano to stay alert and prepare for a possible evacuation.

The CNPC also warned of greater volcanic activity and the dispersion of ash into several nearby towns at high speed. It also recommended that residents nearby avoid outdoor activities.

“In the case of Mexico City, the risk is ash fall. We are prepared for that scenario and we know what to do. Let’s stay alert,” Mexico city’s mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said in a tweet on Sunday.

More:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/22/americas/mexico-volcano-popocatepetl-latam-intl/index.html

Here's a photo of Mayor Sheinbaum, with AMLO, who was Mexico City's mayor, as you probably remember!