New Delhi – A massive plume from Monday’s volcanic eruption in Ethiopia created extraordinary atmospheric conditions as it swept across the subcontinent, with the volcanic ash cloud India trajectory monitored closely by meteorological authorities. The India Meteorological Department tracked the cloud’s movement across multiple states before it exited the country on Tuesday evening, leaving minimal impact on ground-level air quality despite initial concerns.
High-Altitude Journey Across the Subcontinent
The volcanic ash cloud India followed an extraordinary high-altitude trajectory after being released during the Hayli Gubbi volcanic eruption in Ethiopia. Carried by strong westerly winds in the upper atmosphere, the plume initially traveled across Yemen, Oman, and the Arabian Sea before entering Indian airspace over the western coast around 6:30 pm on Monday.
The cloud passed over Gujarat, Rajasthan, the National Capital Region, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and the northeastern states before advancing toward China. By 11 pm Monday, the outer edge of the volcanic ash cloud India had reached Delhi at altitudes between 9 kilometers and 15 kilometers, continuing its rapid eastward sweep throughout Tuesday.
IMD Confirms Complete Exit
IMD Director General M Mohapatra confirmed that satellite imagery showed the volcanic ash cloud India had completely exited the country by 10:30 pm Tuesday. “These ash particles are moving at 8–15 km above the surface, so the main impact was on aviation operations over Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. There was no impact on the surface or the weather,” Mohapatra stated.
He explained that there was no concern regarding exposure because at those heights, wind speeds reach 100-150 kmph, causing particles to move away before they could settle on the ground. By 8:30 pm Tuesday, the plume had largely exited India, with only a thinning tail remaining over the northeast region.
Aviation Sector Bears Primary Impact
While the volcanic ash cloud India posed negligible risks to surface air quality, the aviation sector experienced significant disruption. Airlines and aviation authorities responded swiftly to the fast-changing upper-air conditions, implementing precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued advisories warning of possible hazards to aircraft engines, prompting airlines to cancel, delay, or divert numerous flights across multiple sectors. Key air routes across northwest India were particularly affected by the volcanic ash cloud India situation.
Major Flight Cancellations and Diversions
Air India, which had cancelled seven flights on Monday, scrapped four additional services on Tuesday, including Chennai-Mumbai and Hyderabad-Delhi routes. The airline issued a statement explaining that cancellations were precautionary and that checks were being conducted on aircraft that flew over certain geographical locations following the eruption.
IndiGo’s Kannur-Abu Dhabi service was diverted to Ahmedabad to avoid the volcanic ash cloud India path. At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, seven international flights were cancelled and twelve were delayed by 6 pm Tuesday.
Akasa Air took extensive precautions, cancelling all international services to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi on November 24 and 25, affecting several Gulf-bound passengers who had to make alternative arrangements.
Coordinated Government Response
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation coordinated closely with air traffic control, IMD, airlines, and global aviation agencies to manage the volcanic ash cloud India crisis effectively. “AAI has issued the necessary NOTAM and all affected flights have been kept informed. Operations remain smooth, with only a few flights rerouted or descended as a precaution,” the ministry stated.
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Minimal Impact on Delhi’s Air Quality
Despite initial fears that the volcanic ash cloud India might worsen pollution in Delhi-NCR, its presence was barely detectable at ground level. Delhi’s Air Quality Index stood at 370 when the plume first reached the city at 11 pm Monday, dipping to 353 by 4 pm Tuesday according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
Real-time monitoring data showed only minor, inconsistent fluctuations across various monitoring stations. At Mandir Marg, PM2.5 levels rose from 173 µg/m³ at 11 pm to 185 µg/m³ at midnight, touching 218 µg/m³ at 2 am. At Anand Vihar, PM2.5 increased from 328 µg/m³ to 382 µg/m³ at midnight, while at Punjabi Bagh, levels climbed from 306 µg/m³ to 345 µg/m³, showing no clear pattern attributable to the volcanic ash cloud India.
Scientific Explanation for Minimal Ground Impact
Professor Abhineety Goel from the Faculty of Environmental Studies at FLAME University explained why the volcanic ash cloud India had minimal surface impact. The ash cloud traveled at elevations between 27,000 and 50,000 feet—far above the tropospheric layer where Delhi’s pollution typically accumulates.
“Most pollutants that deteriorate Delhi’s air are confined to the lower layers of the atmosphere. This ash cloud is in the stratosphere. Although heavier particles may eventually descend, any deposition is more likely to affect soil, vegetation or water bodies than immediate air quality,” Goel explained, noting that primary advisories were therefore focused on aviation safety rather than public health.
Weather Systems and Future Outlook
While managing the volcanic ash cloud India situation, IMD also issued alerts regarding other weather systems. A well-marked low-pressure area over Malaysia and the Strait of Malacca intensified into a depression, while another low-pressure area formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal.
Heavy rainfall is forecast for Tamil Nadu until November 30, Kerala and Mahe on November 26, and coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema during November 29 to December 1. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to receive precipitation until November 29, with very heavy rainfall predicted for Tamil Nadu during November 28-30.
The successful monitoring and management of the volcanic ash cloud India incident demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated responses between meteorological agencies, aviation authorities, and airlines in handling rare atmospheric events while prioritizing public safety.
