The city of Puebla and several of its municipalities look completely gray following an ash fall caused by the activity of the Popocatepetl volcano, located in Amarillo Phase 3 at the Volcanic Warning traffic light.
It was around 6:00 pm on 19 May, when the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) detected an explosive pulse that generated a seismic signal, an outlet of water vapour, gas and ash from the crater, and continuous emissions. fragments within a radius of 1.5 km.
Therefore, since then ash has fallen in various municipalities of the state such as: San Nicolás de los Ranchos, Palmar de Bravo, Tepeca, San José Chiapa, Tepatlaxco de Hidalgo, Huatlatlauca, Tzicatlacoyan, Xochiltepec, Teopatlan, Tepatlan, Izúcar de Matamoros, San Martín Totoltepec, Atzitzihuacán, Quimixtlán, San Andrés Cholula, San Pedro Cholula, Cuautlancingo and Huaquechula
Videos abound on social networks showing what businesses, roads, homes and cars looked like covered in volcanic dust. In one of them you can see how they clean the translucent roof of Plaza Galerías Cerdón in front of the astonished eyes of the customers.
The situation has forced the suspension of classes in 40 municipalities of Puebla; five from the State of Mexico, and seven from Tlaxcala. In addition, the National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED) reported that “it is important to return to the use of face masks given the possibility of breathing in the ash” as it can affect health.
As a recommendation to the public, he indicated that dust should be removed by cleaning roofs and ceilings, as it is a heavy material, while doing so, you should wear a hat, face mask, glasses, cover your eyes Should not rub, except to cover the water container on the doors and windows and when you are driving, it is advisable not to activate the wipers.
According to the head of the Puebla health ministry, José Antonio Martínez García, sick people have already been reported: 133 with laryngitis, 42 with allergic rhinitis, 16 with conjunctivitis and another with dermatitis.
In addition, he indicated: “For all those who have a chronic condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), people over the age of 60, people under the age of 5, for all those who have covid – 19 and have sequelae, please take care of yourself as they may have serious health problems.”
According to the CNCP and the General Coordination of Civil Protection of the State of Puebla, in the last hours of May 23, the volcano has continued to emit ash, water and gases.
