Ethiopian Hayli Gubbi Volcano Ash Forces Flight Diversions Over India

New Delhi, November 25, 2025:The sudden eruption of a long-dormant volcano in Ethiopia has sent a high-altitude ash cloud drifting across the Arabian Sea and over parts of North India, including Delhi-NCR. While the phenomenon has sparked public concern about a spike in pollution, experts confirm that the ground-level air quality (AQI) is unlikely to be significantly affected—though the aviation sector is on high alert.

What Happened in Ethiopia?

The Hayli Gubbi shield volcano in Ethiopia’s remote Afar region erupted explosively on Sunday, November 23, 2025, for the first time in an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 years. The eruption was a rare geological event, sending a massive plume of ash and gases like Sulphur Dioxide ($SO_2$) up to heights of 14 kilometres (45,000 feet) into the atmosphere.

The explosive phase has subsided, but the remnants of the cloud, moving at speeds of 100-120 km/h, have since travelled thousands of kilometres eastward, entering Indian airspace over Gujarat, Rajasthan, and moving towards Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab.

Impact on Delhi’s Air Quality

Minimal Surface Effect: Despite Delhi’s existing “very poor” air quality (AQI ranging between 301 and 400), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and weather experts have clarified that the volcanic ash cloud is circulating at very high altitudes—well above the typical concentration level for surface-level air pollution.

• The ash is in the upper levels of the atmosphere (15,000 to 45,000 feet), meaning its impact on the ground is expected to be minimal.
• The primary visible effect for residents may be a slightly hazy or darker sky as the mass passes overhead.
• Minor, temporary spikes in pollutants like PM2.5 and $SO_2$ were noted at some monitoring stations as the plume passed late Monday night, but they did not significantly alter the overall AQI, which remained in the “very poor” category due to local pollution sources.

The main takeaway for residents is that the current, dangerous air quality in Delhi is still a result of local factors, not the high-altitude volcanic ash.

Major Aviation Risk

The principal concern from the Hayli Gubbi ash cloud is its threat to air travel. Volcanic ash, which contains fine particles of rock and glass, poses a serious danger to jet engines. These particles can melt in the engine’s extreme heat, creating a glass-like coating that can lead to engine damage or even failure.

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a detailed advisory to all Indian airlines, instructing them to strictly avoid the affected airspace and flight levels.
• Airlines, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, have taken precautionary measures, resulting in the cancellation and diversion of several international flights, particularly those operating to the Middle East.

Volcanic Ash Health Risks (General)

While the risk to Delhi’s ground-level health is low due to the plume’s altitude, volcanic emissions generally contain toxic components that can be hazardous if they reach the surface:

• Ash: Can cause eye irritation and respiratory problems, especially for people with conditions like asthma or bronchitis.
• Sulphur Dioxide ($SO_2$): A gas that can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, worsening respiratory illnesses.

Authorities expect the plume to continue its eastward drift, moving away from Indian airspace and towards China by Tuesday evening (IST), at which point the risk will diminish.