Ethiopian Volcano Erupts After 12,000 Years, Ash Reaches Delhi, Disrupts Flights

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on Sunday for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending massive ash plumes up to 14 km into the sky. Strong high-altitude winds travelling at 100–120 km/h carried these ash clouds across the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, eventually reaching parts of western and northern India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. Delhi, already battling severe air pollution, saw the ash intrusion late Sunday night, causing additional strain on flight operations.

India’s aviation regulator, DGCA, issued an urgent advisory directing airlines to avoid volcanic ash–affected zones and adjust routes and fuel plans accordingly. Air India cancelled at least eleven flights to conduct precautionary checks on aircraft, while IndiGo and other carriers implemented safety measures and monitoring protocols. The IMD confirmed that the ash clouds are drifting further towards China and are expected to clear Indian airspace by early evening.

Meteorologists noted that the plume contains mostly sulphur dioxide with low to moderate volcanic ash content, meaning it is unlikely to worsen Delhi’s AQI but could temporarily raise SO₂ levels over the Himalayas, Nepal, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. The eruption, confirmed by global volcanology agencies, is the first recorded event from Hayli Gubbi in the Holocene era. Local residents in Ethiopia reported hearing a loud blast and witnessing villages blanketed in ash as the long-dormant volcano came back to life.

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