Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, which had remained inactive for thousands of years, erupted on Sunday and sent a massive column of ash into the sky. The ash plume travelled across the Red Sea and drifted toward South Asia, briefly affecting flight operations in India and West Asia on Monday.
🔥 What Led to Disruptions?
A thick layer of volcanic ash forced several airlines to reroute or cancel flights to ensure passenger safety.
An IndiGo flight (6E 1433) operating from Kannur to Abu Dhabi had to be diverted to Ahmedabad after pilots detected volcanic ash along the planned route. The aircraft landed safely, and IndiGo confirmed that a return flight to Kannur would be arranged for passengers.
Apart from IndiGo, carriers such as Akasa Air, KLM, and multiple Middle Eastern airlines altered their flight paths as the ash cloud extended over Yemen, Oman, parts of Pakistan, and India.
🌋 Where Did the Eruption Occur?
The eruption took place at the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region.
Local villagers reported that they had never witnessed activity from this volcano before. Scientific institutions support this — the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program notes that Hayli Gubbi had no documented eruptions throughout the Holocene period, which began nearly 12,000 years ago.
Satellite data from the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center showed ash rising as high as 14 kilometres and drifting westward after the explosion.
🇮🇳 Impact on India & DGCA Advisory
By Monday night, the ash plume had reached parts of India, prompting the DGCA to issue a detailed advisory to all airlines:
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Avoid routes or flight levels affected by volcanic ash
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Adjust fuel planning and flight paths
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Report immediately if engines face any abnormal behaviour
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Airports must inspect runways and taxiways for ash deposits
According to the IMD, the ash is now moving toward China and will completely clear from Indian skies by 7:30 PM today.
⭐ Summary
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Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted after nearly 12,000 years
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Massive ash plume travelled across Red Sea into South Asia
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Multiple flights diverted or cancelled
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DGCA issued strict precautions
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Ash will be clear from India by evening, says IMD
