NEW DELHI: An extensive ash cloud originating from Ethiopia's recently erupted Hayli Gubbi volcano swept across several northern Indian states on Monday evening, prompting weather alerts and aviation advisories across the region. The volcanic plume traveled thousands of kilometers before making landfall in India, creating potential disruptions to air travel and atmospheric conditions.
How the Volcanic Ash Traveled to India
According to meteorological tracking by IndiaMetSky Weather, the ash plume first entered Indian airspace through Gujarat from the western direction. The massive cloud then progressed rapidly toward Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, and eventually reached Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab by approximately 10 pm. The volcanic material continued drifting toward the Himalayan region and other northern territories throughout the night.
The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) reported that the explosive eruption began around 8:30 am GMT on Sunday, marking the first significant activity from the Hayli Gubbi volcano in nearly 10,000 years. The volcano is situated in Ethiopia's geologically active Afar region, approximately 800 km northeast of Addis Ababa near the Eritrean border.
Thick columns of ash soared up to 14 kilometers into the atmosphere during the eruption. Although the volcanic activity has ceased, the resulting ash plume embarked on an extraordinary journey across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman before turning eastward into India and northern Pakistan.
Impact on Indian Regions and Aviation
The wind-driven ash cloud affected vast stretches of northwest India on Monday night, passing over multiple states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, and Punjab. Authorities closely monitored the plume's movement, with early signs detected near Jamnagar around 5:30 pm.
The volcanic ash is traveling at altitudes between 15,000-25,000 feet, with some layers rising as high as 45,000 feet. The plume contains volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and minute particles of glass and rock. IndiaMetSky Weather warned that skies might appear "darker and hazier than usual" and cautioned about potential disruptions to air traffic leading to "delays and longer travel".
Following the ash drift, aviation authorities sprang into action. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory on Monday instructing airlines and airports to prepare for possible disruptions. The regulatory body directed carriers to avoid volcanic-ash-affected routes and adjust flight plans, routing, and fuel loads based on the latest advisories.
Several airlines, including Akasa Air, IndiGo, and KLM, cancelled flights on Monday. Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport alerted passengers that volcanic activity in Ethiopia had affected West Asian airspace and might impact some international routes, advising travelers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Air Quality and Health Implications
Despite the dramatic atmospheric changes, meteorological services indicated that India's surface-level Air Quality Index (AQI) is not expected to deteriorate significantly. The ash cloud's high altitude means ground-level pollution should remain largely unaffected.
IndiaMetSky Weather described the event as "mostly safe" and clarified that it would "not impact surface AQI levels as Ash clouds are in 25,000 to 45,000 feet above the surface." However, the agency noted that sulphur dioxide levels might increase in the hills of Nepal, Himalayas, and adjoining Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh as some material interacts with mountainous terrain.
While residents might notice skies resembling a dust storm, harmful concentrations of particulate matter at ground level are unlikely. Authorities recommended wearing masks as a precautionary measure but stressed that the event was occurring at middle levels of the atmosphere with limited direct impact on public health.
The volcanic ash plume continues to move at speeds of 100-120 km/h toward northern India, with monitoring agencies maintaining close watch on its progression and potential effects on regional weather patterns and transportation systems.
