Some consider it a guardian, a sleeping giant, and one of the symbols of Puebla. However, the Popocatépetl volcano poses a constant risk of natural catastrophe, forcing authorities and the population to be prepared for anything.
In the state, six municipalities have been identified as being in a major danger zone, including Calpan, San Nicolás de los Ranchos, and Atlixco. Eleven more are at moderate risk. Puebla has established ten evacuation routes, but do the residents know them, use them, and are they willing to evacuate?
“I’m dying here with my San Jerónimo. I’m staying here; nothing is going to happen,” said María Gregoria Chapulín, a resident of San Jerónimo Tecuanipan.
San Jerónimo Tecuanipan is one of the municipalities close to the volcano, which has recently benefited from the recovery and rehabilitation of evacuation route number 2.
“All this with an investment of almost 49 million pesos and a length of almost 23.7 km,” said Gerardo Luna Gordillo, Director of Highways.
However, it seems that its inhabitants are still unaware of this development and its location.
“Do you know where the evacuation routes are?” “Well, no, we’ve never left before,” said María Gregoria Chapulín.
“Well, no,” added Margarito Pérez.
“They’re already telling us where to go, but they’re far away,” said Margarita Cuanalo.
The infrastructure is in place, with roads leading to the 205 shelters available in case of emergency. However, some residents are not willing to leave their communities in case of an eruption, or they are unsure what to do.
“Go away? No, because if you leave, you’ll die from waiting, you’ll die from leaving,” said Margarito Pérez.
“Well, God knows what we can do, or I don’t know what to do,” added Margarita Cuanalo.
The state has a safety plan for emergencies related to the volcano, carried out jointly by the National Civil Protection System and State Civil Protection. However, the dissemination of information is failing, as residents do not know this plan or are reluctant to take it into account.
Source: Meganoticias
