Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico is about to erupt

Mexico has raised the warning level of the Popocatepetl volcano about to erupt, when it has started spraying on the pillar of dust and steam.

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The National Disaster Center (Cenapred) has raised the warning level to the third gold level, the third high. Many schools around the 5454m high mountain have been closed, evacuation sites are also prepared to welcome temporary residents.

Popocatepetl volcano prepares to spray. (Source: Reuters)

'We can hear the roar of the volcano, sometimes able to feel its power ,' said a resident in Xalitzintla, state of Puebla - 12km from the volcano.

Officials at Campared said the warning would be maintained for weeks or months until the operation of the mountain dropped.

Popocatepetl - meaning 'smoking mountain' - is the second highest mountain in Mexico. The volcano is about 70km from Mexico City, so the mountain from the capital can be seen on clear days.

In 2000, a major eruption caused tens of thousands of people to evacuate.