Ethiopia Volcanic Eruption: Ash Clouds Reach India; Several Flights Cancelled

Flight operations across India faced significant disruptions on Monday following the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in northern Ethiopia. The long-dormant volcano, which erupted on Sunday for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, has sent a dense plume of ash drifting across the Red Sea, Yemen, and Oman, finally reaching Indian airspace late Monday night.

The ash cloud was reported over Delhi around 11 p.m. on Monday and is projected to drift across Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh into Tuesday.

Aviation Authority Issues Strict Advisory The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a detailed advisory directing all airlines to strictly avoid flight paths and altitudes affected by the volcanic ash.

"Airlines must strictly avoid published volcanic ash-affected areas and flight levels," the advisory stated. Carriers have been instructed to modify flight planning, routing, and fuel calculations in accordance with the latest satellite data.

The DGCA has also mandated immediate reporting of any "abnormal engine performance" or the presence of smoke or odors within the cabin. Airport operators have been directed to inspect runways, taxiways, and aprons for ash deposits that could compromise safety.

Rerouting Challenges and Airspace Constraints The disruption is compounded by geopolitical airspace restrictions. With the ash cloud affecting the typical flight corridors over the Arabian Sea and Oman, airlines are struggling to find viable alternative routes.

"The Pakistan airspace is shut for Indian airlines, hence Indian carriers are expected to be significantly impacted," Hindustan Times quoted a Mumbai airport official as saying. While international carriers may have the option to reroute through Pakistani airspace to avoid the ash, Indian operators remain barred from this corridor, limiting their navigational options. Officials confirmed they are keeping a record of delays and monitoring the situation closely.

Environmental Impact Meteorological reports indicate that the densest part of the ash cloud is currently transitioning over the National Capital Region (NCR). While there are concerns that the plume could degrade air quality in Delhi and neighboring areas, experts suggest the immediate risk to ground-level air quality is low, as the ash is currently drifting at an altitude of several thousand feet.

Background The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia's remote Afar region, last erupted approximately 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. Sunday's eruption has been described as a major geological event, releasing a plume thick enough to span the Arabian Sea within 24 hours.