An ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano entered Indian airspace on Monday evening after travelling across West Asia, according to IndiaMetSky Weather. The plume first reached Gujarat from the west around 5.30 pm and then moved toward Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab by late night. Aviation authorities and weather services tracked the plume as it advanced at high altitude and spread across large regions. The ash continued drifting toward the Himalayas and other northern areas through the night.
The movement marked the first recorded impact in India from an eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano. The volcano had been dormant for nearly 10,000 years before it erupted on Sunday morning. Early signals of the ash cloud’s arrival led officials to monitor possible flight disruptions and visibility changes as the plume approached major cities.
The plume is travelling between 15,000 and 25,000 feet, with some layers rising as high as 45,000 feet. Weather agencies said the cloud contains volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide and tiny particles of glass and rock. IndiaMetSky Weather stated that the sky could look “darker and hazier than usual” in areas under the plume. It warned that high-altitude ash may interfere with aircraft routes and cause delays as airlines adjust their plans.
How plume formed and travelled
The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reported that the eruption began around 8:30 am GMT on Sunday. Thick columns of ash rose nearly 14 kilometres into the sky from the Afar region of Ethiopia, a geologically active area where tectonic plates meet. Once released, the ash crossed the Red Sea and moved over Yemen and Oman before moving east toward India. Satellite data from VAAC and regional agencies confirmed a long ribbon of ash stretching from the eruption site to the Arabian Sea and into the Indian subcontinent.
VAAC said the eruption had stopped, but the plume continued to travel with strong winds. The cloud’s speed, estimated at 100 to 120 kilometres per hour, helped it cover thousands of kilometres in less than a day. As the plume moved over the Arabian Sea, pilots and weather trackers reported changes in sky colour and visibility at high altitudes.
Regions in India that saw plume
By Monday night, the ash cloud had spread across several states. Gujarat recorded the first signs, with images showing a hazy band of ash near Jamnagar. The plume then passed over parts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Punjab. IndiaMetSky Weather said, “A large ash plume can be seen stretching from the Hayli Gubbi volcano region up to Gujarat.” The agency added that skies would look darker and hazier in the affected states and that flights could face rerouting.
Late-night updates showed the plume moving over Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and nearby districts of Uttar Pradesh. While small pockets of ash were seen over Rajasthan, weather agencies said the chance of ashfall on the plains was limited. The plume is expected to continue drifting toward Nepal, the Himalayas and the Terai region before turning toward China.
Impact on air quality
Meteorologists said the ash cloud’s altitude means it will not worsen surface-level air quality in India. The plume is positioned far above the layer where daily pollution accumulates. IndiaMetSky Weather said the event would “not like to impact surface AQI levels as ash clouds are in 25,000 to 45,000 feet above the surface.” The agency added that sulphur dioxide levels may rise over hilly regions of Nepal and parts of the Himalayas as the plume interacts with the mountains.
Experts explained that only a small amount of ash may reach the ground, and the chances of noticeable ashfall in cities remain low. Residents may see skies that look similar to a dust storm without the typical particulate load near the surface. People were advised to take basic precautions if they felt irritation or discomfort outdoors.
Advisory for airlines and passengers
The ash drift led airlines to issue warnings for passengers and adjust flight paths through Middle Eastern and Indian airspace. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation released an advisory on Monday asking airlines to avoid ash-affected routes. Pilots were told to keep clear of affected flight levels and report any suspected ash encounters, including engine irregularities or cabin odours.
Airports have been told to inspect runways, taxiways and aprons if ash contamination is suspected. Operations may be restricted until cleaning is completed. Airlines were also asked to monitor satellite images and weather reports for real-time updates on the plume’s movement.
Several carriers cancelled flights on Monday. Akasa Air cancelled flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. IndiGo issued an advisory saying that its teams were tracking the situation in coordination with aviation bodies. KLM cancelled its Amsterdam–Delhi flight due to ash in the region. Mumbai’s international airport warned passengers that rerouting and delays were possible on international routes that pass through affected sectors.
Air India cancelled multiple flights on November 24 and 25. These include long-haul routes from Newark and New York to Delhi, as well as flights from Dubai, Doha and Dammam. Domestic services between Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Delhi were also cancelled as a precaution.
Ongoing movement & updates
The India Meteorological Department said the plume would move away from Indian skies by 7.30 pm on Tuesday as it continues toward China. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that while the ash cloud was drifting over North India, its impact on daily life would be limited.
Tracking platforms such as Flightradar24 posted maps showing the plume’s growth and its projected path. Satellite images shared by weather agencies showed the ash rising from the volcano and expanding across the Red Sea before reaching the Arabian Sea. Visuals from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport showed normal operations under close monitoring.
For most residents, the main effect has been darker skies. While high-altitude ash poses little direct risk on the ground, its impact on aviation is significant. Delays, cancellations and rerouting are likely until the plume clears key flight paths. Passengers travelling on long-haul routes through West Asia have been advised to check flight updates regularly.
The rare eruption of a long-dormant volcano and the ash cloud’s rapid journey across continents have placed weather and aviation agencies on alert. As the plume moves out of India, authorities will continue monitoring for any shifts in its path and possible effects on regional flight corridors.
Credits Banner Image: Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano by BaateinStockKi via X (screengrab)
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