A huge cloud of volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano reached India on Monday night. This volcano erupted for the first time in almost 12,000 years. The ash travelled quickly across the northwest, reducing visibility and disturbing flight operations in several major cities.

The plume moved at speeds of nearly 100–120 km/hour at heights above 10 km. It crossed Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR and Punjab before shifting further east.

Ash Cloud Covers Northern Skies

The ash entered Indian airspace around 6.30 pm. Soon, the skies turned darker and airlines began facing trouble. Many flights were diverted, while some were cancelled due to safety concerns.
The IMD said that pollution on the ground would stay low because the ash remained high in the atmosphere. However, aviation authorities warned that Tuesday could see serious disruptions if the ash drops to lower levels near airports.

Ash Cloud Enters India

The plume crossed into Rajasthan around 6.30 pm. It moved rapidly across Gujarat, Delhi-NCR and Punjab at 100–120 km/hour.

Flight Disruptions Start

IndiGo cancelled at least six flights. Akasa Air suspended flights to Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi for November 24–25. Several other aircraft had to divert to safer routes.

DGCA Issues ASHTAM Alert

India’s aviation regulator released an urgent ASHTAM alert. It instructed all airlines to avoid the affected altitudes and follow standard volcanic-ash safety procedures.

Airspace Restrictions Lead to Rerouting

International carriers began using Pakistani airspace to bypass the ash cloud. But Indian airlines cannot fly through those routes, which led to more cancellations and delays.

IMD Says Surface Impact Will Be Limited

IMD chief M Mohapatra said the plume, located between 10–15 km altitude, would not heavily affect surface air quality. He added that people may see hazy skies and slightly higher minimum temperatures.

Experts Warn of a Pollution Spike

Some analysts, including Envirocatalysts’ Sunil Dahiya, said the ash could temporarily worsen pollution in the NCR. The region was already close to the ‘severe’ category before the ash arrived.

NCR Air Quality Already Dangerous

At 4 pm on Monday, Delhi’s AQI stood at 382 (‘very poor’). Ghaziabad recorded 396 and Noida reached 397, both close to ‘severe’ levels even before the ash entered the region.

What the Ash Cloud Contains

The plume carries volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and tiny particles of rock and glass. These materials darken the sky and can damage aircraft engines, making flight safety a major concern.

Airports Put on High Alert

DGCA told airports to stay ready for immediate inspections of runways, taxiways and aprons if any ashfall is detected. Operations will stop if contamination is found.

Volcano Erupts After Millennia

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on Sunday. It sent ash up to 14 km high. Although the eruption has now stopped, the huge plume continues to drift toward India, according to the Toulouse VAAC.