Urgent Update: Ethiopia Volcano Eruption-Is North India Out of Danger or Still at Risk? IMD Reveals Critical Insights!
A cloud of volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano reached India late Monday night, November 24, following an eruption the previous day that marked the volcano’s first activity in nearly 12,000 years. Located in the Afar region, approximately 800 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa near the Eritrean border, the volcanic event generated thick plumes of smoke that soared to an altitude of around 14 kilometers (nine miles), as reported by the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC).
As the ash cloud drifted toward Indian skies around 11 p.m. on Monday, it raised alarm over potential impacts on weather and air quality across various states, including Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. A rapid update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the ash plume had exited Indian airspace by 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, alleviating immediate concerns.
The IMD had earlier highlighted that the eruption’s ash cloud, reaching altitudes of 45,000 feet, posed disruptions to high-altitude flight corridors, leading to widespread cancellations. In response to safety directives, Air India canceled 11 international flights on Monday and Tuesday to inspect aircraft that may have flown through affected regions. Akasa Air also grounded flights to Middle Eastern destinations like Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi amidst the fallout.
Reports indicated that at least seven international flights from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi faced cancellations while others experienced delays, significantly disrupting travel plans for many passengers.
Despite the ash cloud’s implications for aviation, experts noted that it had no significant effect on local weather conditions or air quality in India. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the IMD, stated that the ash impact was confined to the upper troposphere, confirming that international flights typically operate at altitudes between 35,000 and 40,000 feet, while domestic services range from 25,000 to 33,000 feet. “The impact of this volcanic ash is being seen only in the upper troposphere… Our estimate is that this volcanic ash will completely move towards China by evening,” he explained to the news agency ANI.
In Ethiopia, however, the consequences of the eruption are being felt on the ground. Abedella Mussa, a health official in the Afdera district, noted that residents are experiencing respiratory issues, prompting the dispatch of mobile medical services to affected neighborhoods. “Two medical teams have been dispatched to provide mobile medical services,” he reported.
Additionally, livestock in the region are suffering due to the ash fallout. Nuur Mussa, an official overseeing agriculture, highlighted that animals are struggling to find clean water and forage as their grazing areas are now covered in volcanic ash. “Many animals cannot drink clean water or feed on grass because it is covered by volcanic ash,” he stated, illustrating a broader impact on the local ecosystem and communities.
This eruption serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of volcanic activity and its potential ripple effects across borders. As the situation develops, monitoring remains crucial both for air travel safety and for the health and well-being of communities in Ethiopia and beyond.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ethiopia-volcano-eruption-is-delhi-north-india-still-at-risk-or-has-the-threat-passed-imd-shares-update-11764120451925.html
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Publish Date: 2025-11-26 07:01:00
