A massive volcanic ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption reached Indian airspace on Monday night, leading to flight disruptions across several regions and prompting aviation authorities to issue strict safety guidelines for airlines. Meteorologists, however, confirmed that the plume remains at mid-levels of the atmosphere and is not expected to affect surface air quality, including in the Andaman region, which continues to monitor developments closely.
The ash plume originated after the Hayli Gubbi volcano in northern Ethiopia erupted on Sunday, breaking a 12,000-year dormancy. The eruption released a huge column of ash that rose nearly 14 kilometres high, travelling eastward across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman before advancing across the Arabian Sea toward India.
By late Monday night, the plume had entered Indian airspace and was observed over Delhi, with its movement extending overnight toward Punjab and Haryana. Its presence in northern and western India led to immediate operational responses from aviation authorities. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a detailed advisory directing airlines to avoid designated volcanic ash–affected areas and altitudes, revise routing, modify flight levels, and adjust fuel planning based on the latest Volcanic Ash Advisories (VAAs).
Airlines subsequently rerouted multiple flights, resulting in delays across the country as operators navigated safely around the affected zones. Volcanic ash can pose severe risks to aircraft, particularly jet engines, where ash particles can melt and cause critical damage mid-flight. Several flights reported delays on Monday and Tuesday due to altered routes and precautionary measures.
Weather monitoring platforms closely tracking the plume confirmed that the cloud consists primarily of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) with low to moderate concentrations of volcanic ash. IndiaMetSky Weather, in a detailed post on X, noted the plume’s trajectory extending from the Oman–Arabian Sea region toward north and central India. It said the phenomenon was unlikely to impact air quality at the surface level, though SO₂ levels may rise across the hills of Nepal, the Himalayan belt, and Uttar Pradesh’s Terai region where the plume may interact with mountainous terrain before drifting toward China.
“Low chances of ashfall exist over the plains,” the platform stated, adding that while the plume may continue drifting over Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan, no deterioration in surface AQI is expected.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said the ash cloud is expected to move away from India and drift toward China by 7:30 p.m., reducing immediate concerns for affected regions. The IMD reported that the plume moved over Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana earlier in the day, but remains confined to mid-atmospheric levels.
Authorities continue to monitor the plume’s movement as temporary disruptions to flight schedules persist. Passengers were advised to check updated airline notices before travel.
While the Andaman region remains geographically distant from the plume’s current path, officials and aviation authorities continue to track advisories closely, given the islands’ reliance on air connectivity and their vulnerability to regional atmospheric changes.
The plume is expected to weaken gradually as it travels eastward, with no projected impact on ground-level air quality across India.
