An ash cloud from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano is expected to drift into parts of western India this evening before moving across several northern states, ANI reported, citing IndiaMetSky Weather.
The weather service noted that the cloud is poised to enter Gujarat from the west and will advance toward Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab by around 10 pm. It is also likely to affect regions across the Himalayan belt later tonight, ANI added.
The plume, generated by the volcano's explosive activity, is travelling at 100-120 km/h at altitudes ranging from 15,000-25,000 feet and in some areas reaching up to 45,000 feet. ANI reported that the cloud contains volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and fine particles of glass and rock.
IndiaMetSky Weather, as reported by ANI, cautioned that the ash could darken and haze the sky and may disrupt aviation schedules, potentially leading to delays and extended flight durations. Imagery shared by the service shows a large ash trail stretching from the Hayli Gubbi region toward Gujarat, even though the eruption itself has subsided.
The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) told ANI that the eruption began around 8:30 am UTC on Sunday, marking the first recorded activity from the volcano in nearly 10,000 years. The volcano, located in Ethiopia's Erta Ale Range, last erupted an estimated 10,000-12,000 years ago.
The plume initially swept across the Red Sea toward Oman and Yemen before shifting eastward, according to Al Arabiya, cited by ANI. Following the eruption, volcanic ash was also detected over portions of the Arabian Peninsula, prompting airlines to issue advisories for flights routed through the Middle East. No specific warnings have yet been issued for flights headed toward India, ANI reported.
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