New Delhi – A massive plume of volcanic ash India witnessed on Monday night swept across the northwestern region, creating unprecedented aviation challenges and reducing visibility across major cities. The ash originated from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending debris up to 14 kilometers into the atmosphere. This volcanic ash India experienced traveled at remarkable speeds of 100-120 kilometers per hour at high altitudes, crossing multiple states before continuing its eastward journey across the subcontinent.
The volcanic ash India’s airspace encountered entered around 6:30 PM on Monday, immediately darkening skies and forcing aviation authorities to take swift action. The plume crossed Rajasthan first before rapidly moving through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, and Punjab, affecting millions of residents and causing significant disruptions to air travel operations across the region.
Major Flight Disruptions Across Northwest India
Airlines responded quickly to the volcanic ash India’s aviation sector faced by cancelling and diverting numerous flights. IndiGo cancelled at least six flights as a precautionary measure, while Akasa Air suspended all services to international destinations including Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi for November 24-25. Several other flights were diverted to alternate airports to avoid the ash cloud’s path.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued an urgent ASHTAM alert, a specialized volcanic ash warning directing all airlines to avoid affected altitudes and implement strict volcanic-ash procedures. This volcanic ash India alert emphasized the serious risks posed by ash particles to aircraft engines, which can cause catastrophic mechanical failures if ingested.
International Airspace Complications
The situation became more complex as international airlines began rerouting flights through Pakistani airspace to avoid the volcanic ash India regions were experiencing. However, Indian carriers cannot utilize these alternative routes due to existing airspace restrictions, resulting in increased cancellations and delays for domestic airlines. This limitation placed Indian aviation operators at a significant disadvantage compared to their international counterparts.
Composition and Altitude of Volcanic Plume
The volcanic ash India received consists of dangerous materials including volcanic ash particles, sulphur dioxide, and microscopic fragments of rock and glass. These materials not only darken skies but pose severe hazards to aircraft engines and mechanical systems. The plume traveled at altitudes between 10-15 kilometers, keeping most particles well above surface level but within critical aviation flight paths.
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Impact on Air Quality and Surface Conditions
The India Meteorological Department’s Director General M Mohapatra provided reassurance that the volcanic ash India experienced at ground level would have minimal impact on surface air quality due to its high altitude. However, hazy skies and a minor rise in minimum temperatures were expected across affected regions.
Despite these official assessments, some environmental analysts expressed concern. Experts, including envirocatalysts’ Sunil Dahiya, warned that the volcanic ash India residents breathe could temporarily worsen air quality in the National Capital Region, which was already approaching ‘severe’ pollution levels before the ash cloud’s arrival.
Pre-existing Air Quality Concerns
The volcanic ash India faced compounded existing pollution problems in major cities. Delhi’s Air Quality Index stood at 382, categorized as ‘very poor,’ at 4 PM on Monday. Neighboring cities Ghaziabad and Noida recorded AQIs of 396 and 397 respectively, dangerously close to ‘severe’ levels even before the volcanic ash India’s atmosphere received had arrived.
Airport Safety Preparations
Aviation authorities placed all major airports on high alert as the volcanic ash India’s airspace contained moved across the region. The DGCA instructed airports to prepare for immediate runway, taxiway, and apron inspections if ashfall occurred at surface level. Operations would be suspended immediately if contamination was detected, prioritizing passenger and aircraft safety above all scheduling concerns.
Volcanic Eruption Details
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on Sunday, marking its first eruption in approximately 12,000 years. According to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, the eruption had stopped by Monday, but the massive plume continued drifting toward and across India. The volcanic ash India witnessed represented material that had traveled thousands of kilometers across international airspace, demonstrating the far-reaching impacts of major geological events in our interconnected word.
