A volcano in northern Ethiopia erupted on Sunday for the first time in almost 12,000 years. The eruption caused huge clouds of ash to spread across several countries, including India, as strong winds travelling at 100–120 km/h carried the ash through the atmosphere.

The volcano, named Hayli Gubbi, is located in the Afar region of Ethiopia. The eruption happened on Sunday morning, and by late Sunday night, the volcanic ash reached Delhi, which is already facing severe air pollution problems. The ash clouds first entered India through Gujarat and then moved towards Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), these ash clouds are now drifting towards China and were expected to move out of Indian skies by 7:30 pm on Monday. The IMD explained that strong high-level winds carried the ash from Ethiopia, across the Red Sea, Yemen, Oman, and the Arabian Sea before entering western and northern India.

Impact on flights

The eruption affected several flights and airline operations. India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued a warning advising airlines to avoid areas affected by volcanic ash and to change flight routes and fuel plans if needed. Airlines were also told to report any problems such as engine issues or cabin smoke.

Several airlines including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet faced disruptions. Air India cancelled 11 flights and said the decision was necessary to conduct safety checks on aircraft that flew over areas affected by volcanic ash. The cancelled flights included routes like Newark to Delhi, New York to Delhi, Doha to Mumbai, Dubai to Chennai, and others.

Air India posted a message saying it regretted the inconvenience but that passenger and crew safety is the top priority. IndiGo also reassured passengers that they were closely monitoring the situation and taking all precautions for safe operations.

Effect on air quality

Weather experts say that the volcanic plume contains mostly sulphur dioxide (SO₂) along with low to moderate levels of ash. They say it will not significantly affect the Air Quality Index (AQI), but it may increase SO₂ levels in the Himalayan region, Nepal, and nearby areas in Uttar Pradesh.

About the Volcano

The Hayli Gubbi volcano lies in the Rift Valley, a major geological zone where two tectonic plates meet. The eruption sent thick ash clouds rising up to 14 kilometres high into the sky and covered nearby villages in ash. Unverified videos on social media show large plumes of white smoke rising above the volcano.