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Government Urges Population to Protect Themselves Against Volcanic Ash

The National Civil Protection System recommended that people protect their health and property regarding the fall of volcanic ash resulting from the explosion recorded Sunday night of the Popocatépetl volcano, which threw great quantities of incandescent material and ash to the atmosphere.

The Popocatépetl volcano, covered in snow. Photo: Notimex/Jorge Arciga

Through his official Twitter account, Luis Felipe Puente, head of the National Civil Protection System of the Interior Secretariat (Segob), called on people to cover drains in nations and rooftops against the ash fall, in order to prevent their clogging. He also recommended covering water tanks to avoid contamination.

Particles smaller than four microns can become lodged in the alveoli of the lungs, warned Puente.

The eruption of the Popocatépetl occurred at 8:30 p.m. Sunday night. Puente said that the Volcanic Alert Semaphore for the volcano remains at Yellow Alert Phase 2.

The eruption of the Popocatépetl occurred at 8:30 p.m. Sunday night. Photo: Notimex/Carlos Pacheco