Volcano delivers new scare

ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION

The Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico spewed more huge ash clouds on Monday (May 21) in a new scare for nearby villagers already on edge after weeks of increased activity.

The volcano belched several large plumes of ash, according to local police.

Mexico's disaster centre raised Popocatepetl's alert level up one notch to yellow phase three in mid-April, the third-highest warning on its seven-stage scale, although there are no plans yet to evacuate residents in the area.

Popocatepetl has spewed smoke and ash sporadically over the past few years.

A major eruption in 2000 forced the evacuation of nearly 50, 000 people in three states surrounding the peak.