Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera Monday activated Operation Popocatepetl, a contingency plan to prepare for the possibility of a major eruption from the active volcano located southeast of Mexico's capital.
The Popocatepetl Volcano has been increasingly active, and could spew enough ash and glowing rocks to force the evacuation of thousands of people living in nearby communities in the central states of Puebla, Morelos, Mexico State and Mexico City.
Over the weekend, "Popo," as the volcano is commonly known, showed signs of greater activity, spewing steam, gas and ash into the sky, as well as some incandescent rocks and earth, leading authorities to elevate the alarm level to yellow phase 3, one stage away from a red alert, which would instigate evacuations.
Mexico City's Civil Protection Secretariat head Fausto Lugo Garcia said the contingency plan targets communities most at risk, including those in the capital's districts of Tlahuac, Milpa Alta, Xochimilco, Iztapalapa and Venustiano Carranza, where the city's Benito Juarez International Airport is located.
Different city departments are taking part in Operation Popocatepetl, which calls for the sweeping and collection of volcanic ash, and the mobilisation of city police to safeguard homes against looters, among other actions, Lugo told reporters.
He added evacuations will only be carried out in case of a major emergency.
Should the volcano spew significant amounts of ash into the atmosphere, city residents remain indoors, in their homes, cars or offices, Lugo recommended, saying if they need to go out, they should cover their eyes, nose and mouth with a damp cloth.
During a yellow phase 3, people should avoid exercising outdoors, cover their pet's food, and wash fruits and vegetables well.
The alarm also restricts vehicle traffic within a 12-kilometre radius of the volcano, which towers 5,500 metres above sea level.
Bernama
Tue May 14 2013
Motorcycling - Marquez wins Australian MotoGP after intense battle with Martin
The 31-year-old, third in the championship standings, has now won the Australian MotoGP four times in the premier class.
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy, vowing to combat internal issues
Nepal's Sherpas deserve more, says teenager who scaled world's 14 tallest peaks
Sherpas are known for climbing skills that make them the backbone of mountain expeditions.
Inside the underground lab in China tasked with solving a physics mystery
China will soon collect neutrino data, aiming to unravel one of particle physics' biggest mysteries.
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.