A huge ash cloud from Ethiopia’s volcano drifted into Indian airspace this week. The eruption of the dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia released plumes of ash and sulphur dioxide. The plumes crossed the Red Sea and reached Yemen and Oman before heading toward India. The country’s meteorological agency issued a clear warning of movement.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra explained the sequence. He said the ash plume travelled from Ethiopia to the Arabian Sea, then entered western India. He added that by midnight, it was over Delhi and north India, and will clear by 7:30 pm as it moves toward China.
The IMD also pointed out that the plume is flying at high altitude — above 10 km. Because of this height, the impact on surface‐level air quality in Delhi and northern India is expected to be minimal. The agency said existing pollution levels might not worsen because of this cloud.
Ethiopia’s Volcano Eruption: Flight Disruption
Although the pollution risk is small, aviation was affected. Several flights were cancelled or diverted as a precaution. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directed airlines to avoid affected altitudes and regions. Some carriers, such as Air India and Akasa Air, cancelled multiple routes that passed through the ash plume zone.
A picture taken from a aircraft showing the difference between Volcanic Ash plume that lingers, moving and fading away from Indian region and Layer of Smog at the surface.
📸:@yash3101 pic.twitter.com/ArHNGL3cN2
— IndiaMetSky Weather (@indiametsky) November 25, 2025
Forecast models show the ash cloud spread over Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR. It then moved eastward and will clear Indian skies by evening. The IMD said the cloud will continue across China next, following high-level winds.
Impact of Ethiopia’s Volcano Eruption Is Limited
Because the ash is high above the ground, it poses less risk to breathing air at the surface level. The IMD emphasised that the layer is mostly high in the atmosphere and thus the pollution effect on cities will be “unlikely to worsen” significantly.
Ethiopia’s Volcano Eruption: Why This Matters
This event is rare. The volcano that erupted had been silent for thousands of years. A remote region now becomes a key point in international air safety and environmental monitoring. India’s coast-to-north corridor felt the ripple effect of this faraway eruption.
It also shows how global events can influence local skies. A volcano in Africa ends up affecting flights and air warnings in India. It highlights how quickly nature’s reach can cross continents.
How the Situation Will Evolve
Authorities say the ash cloud will clear by 7:30 pm local time. So any travel or aviation disruptions are likely to ease soon. For ground-level pollution in Indian cities, the risk remains low because of altitude and the fast movement of the plume.
Citizens in the affected states and regions should stay updated via official advisories. Airlines will continue to monitor routes and adjust as needed until the plume fully moves beyond Indian airspace.
