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Ethiopian Volcano Erupts After 12,000 Years: Ash Cloud Disrupts Flights Across North India

A rare volcanic eruption in Ethiopia’s Afar region has sent massive ash plumes thousands of kilometres across continents, reaching northern and western India and forcing airlines to cancel or delay dozens of flights on Tuesday.

  • DY365

DY365

The volcano as it exploded on Tuesday
The volcano as it exploded on Tuesday

New Delhi: A rare volcanic eruption in Ethiopia’s Afar region has sent massive ash plumes thousands of kilometres across continents, reaching northern and western India and forcing airlines to cancel or delay dozens of flights on Tuesday.

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The Hayli Gubbi volcano, dormant for nearly 12,000 years, erupted on Sunday morning, hurling ash up to 15 km into the atmosphere. Strong upper-level winds of 100–120 km/h carried the plume across the Red Sea, Yemen, Oman, and the Arabian Sea before it entered Indian airspace through Gujarat late Monday night, spreading to Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Punjab.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the ash cloud’s presence over northern India but stated it is rapidly moving eastward towards China and is expected to clear Indian skies by 7:30 pm Tuesday.

Delhi, already battling severe air pollution, saw additional strain on visibility and air traffic control, though experts clarified that the volcanic ash consists mainly of sulphur dioxide with low to moderate concentrations of fine particles.

Major Flight Cancellations and Safety Measures

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advisory directing all airlines to avoid ash-contaminated airspace, reroute flights where necessary, and immediately report any encounter with volcanic ash.

Air India cancelled at least 11 international and domestic flights as a precautionary measure while conducting detailed inspections of aircraft that may have flown through affected regions. Affected routes included Newark–Delhi, New York–Delhi, Dubai–Hyderabad, Doha–Mumbai, Dubai–Chennai, and several others.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen natural event. Passenger and crew safety remains our top priority,” Air India said in a statement.

IndiGo reassured passengers that it is “closely monitoring the situation in coordination with global aviation authorities” and has implemented all required safety protocols.

Aviation experts emphasised that volcanic ash poses serious risks to aircraft engines and windshields, prompting the widespread precautionary actions across Indian carriers.

While the immediate impact on ground-level air quality remains limited, authorities continue to monitor the situation as the ash cloud exits Indian territory.

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