A massive ash plume from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted after decades of dormancy, has swept across northern and western India, prompting heightened monitoring by meteorological agencies and causing significant disruptions to international air traffic. The plume, laden with volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide and ultra-fine rock particles, reached Indian airspace late Monday night, first appearing over Delhi around 11 pm.
Ash spread across multiple states
Forecast models have indicated widespread ash influence over Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Maharashtra. Meteorologists added that the cloud is gradually drifting toward the Himalayan foothills and the adjoining Terai belt in Uttar Pradesh as high-altitude winds continue to steer its movement.
The plume is travelling at an estimated 100-120 km/h over North India, hovering between 15000 and 25000 feet, with pockets extending as high as 45000 feet. This elevation, experts say, is typical for transcontinental volcanic ash transport and poses risks primarily to aviation rather than ground-level air quality.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the ash cloud originated from a powerful eruption in Ethiopia’s Afar region, from where ‘high-level winds carried the plume across the Red Sea, Yemen, Oman and the Arabian Sea before reaching western India.’ The agency has been tracking the dispersion through satellite inputs and advisories from global Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres.
When will the ash cloud leave India?
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra confirmed that the plume is already on its way out of Indian airspace. It is expected to completely clear the country by 14:00 GMT (7:30 pm IST) on Tuesday, after which it will drift further northeast toward China.
Airlines have begun adjusting operations accordingly. Following the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) advisory, multiple carriers reassessed flight paths, while Akasa Air cancelled services to and from Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 24 and 25 due to safety concerns linked to ash density.
