Ash clouds from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption impacted skies over northern and western India, prompting flight advisories and route adjustments.
Ash Cloud Impact Felt Across Indian Skies
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that volcanic ash clouds from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano would clear Indian airspace by 7:30 PM on Tuesday. The eruption, which began on Sunday, had briefly disrupted flight operations in India and affected air quality over several northern and western states.
- Affected regions included Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.
- The ash, carried by high-level winds, entered Indian skies after crossing the Red Sea, Yemen, Oman, and the Arabian Sea.
Eruption Details: Hayli Gubbi Volcano
The Hayli Gubbi is a shield volcano located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, known for its volcanic activity due to tectonic movement at the East African Rift.
- Sunday’s eruption sent ash plumes as high as 14 km (45,000 feet) into the atmosphere.
- The ash initially spread eastward across the Red Sea, eventually drifting toward the Indian subcontinent.
Flight Operations and Safety Measures
The volcanic ash posed a threat to aviation safety, with particles capable of damaging jet engines and onboard systems. In response:
- IMD’s Met Watch Offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Kolkata issued SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) advisories to airports.
- The advisories followed ICAO standards, alerting pilots and airlines to avoid impacted flight levels.
- Flight planning was revised, incorporating alternate routes and fuel calculations to manage longer detours or holding patterns.
Continuous Monitoring and Coordination
The IMD worked in coordination with Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAACs) and used satellite imagery and dispersion models to:
- Track the movement of ash in real-time.
- Provide accurate and timely information for aviation route safety.
- Ensure mitigation of disruptions to Indian and international flights.
The ash plume is now drifting toward China, reducing its risk to Indian aviation and weather systems.
