Meteorologists track Iceland volcanic ash dispersal

Indian meteorologists are closely tracking the dispersal of volcanic ash over Europe and will study its impact over the south-west monsoon if it persists for more than a month.

Indian meteorologists are closely tracking the dispersal of volcanic ash over Europe and will study its impact over the south-west monsoon if it persists for more than a month.

HT Image

Ash from the Eyjafjallajokull (AY-yah-fyah-lah-YOH-kuul) volcanic eruption in south Iceland is moving towards Central and Eastern Europe. If it maintains its current trajectory it could cover Central Asia in a fortnight, Ajit Tyagi, Director General of India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in New Delhi.

"As of today, it does not appear to affect the Indian monsoon. But if it persists, we may consider it for the second stage of the monsoon forecast," he said.

Tyagi said that observational data shows that the volcanic ash has been dispersing.

The intensity of the volcanic eruption increased last night, although the cloud of volcanic ash being produced was much smaller now than it was late last week, reports said citing new radar readings.

The IMD is expected to issue its first forecast on this year's southwest monsoon later this month.