Ethiopian volcanic eruption: What it could mean for Delhi in the coming days

A windborne cloud of volcanic ash from Ethiopia drifted across parts of northwest India on Monday night, briefly affecting visibility and disrupting flight operations.

The ash originated from the Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted on Sunday for the first time in nearly 12,000 years. The plume travelled at high altitudes, above 10 km, and crossed Rajasthan around 6.30 pm before moving over Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR and Punjab at around 11 pm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the ash cloud reached Delhi but was unlikely to raise pollution levels because it was too high to mix with surface air. Officials said the plume would pass quickly, with its impact over Indian cities lasting only a few hours as it continued eastwards, Hindustan Times reported.

However, flight operations were affected. IndiGo and Akasa Air reported diversions and cancellations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory asking airlines to avoid affected routes and follow the “Volcanic Ash Operations Manual”. Pilots were told to immediately report any suspected ash encounters, including engine issues or cabin odour.

IMD Director General M Mohapatra said the main effect would be hazy skies and a slight rise in temperatures. While some experts warned of a temporary pollution spike, others said any major impact was unlikely since the ash remained at upper levels.

Hayli Gubbi, which rose nearly 500 metres during the eruption, is located in the Rift Valley, a region known for major geological activity because it lies on the boundary of two shifting tectonic plates. Videos shared on social media showed a tall, dense plume of white smoke rising from the eruption site.

Why the eruption matters

The volcano lies only 15 kilometres from Erta Ale, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, known for its long-lasting lava lake. Hayli Gubbi sits in the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and most inaccessible regions on Earth. Because the area is remote and difficult to study, not much scientific data exists about the volcano, making the sudden eruption highly unusual.

Since the region is sparsely populated and hard to reach, satellites have been the main source of information. Satellite images show massive ash clouds and high levels of sulfur dioxide, a key sign of volcanic activity.