How will ash from Ethiopian volcanic eruption impact Indian cities?

The weather department further said the phenomenon will primarily affect flight operations.

Updated on: Nov 25, 2025, 04:09:50 IST

By Jasjeev Gandhiok, Neha LM Tripathi

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A thick cloud of volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, which has erupted for the first time in thousands of years, is expected to reach northwest India on Monday night, meteorological experts said.

A photo from the Afar Government Communication Bureau shows ash rising from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano during its eruption on Sunday. (AP)

Officials aware with the matter said that aircraft operations over parts of Indian airspace are already beginning to feel the impact as the ash advances towards the region. Further disruptions are likely through the night, HT reported earlier.

How will the ash impact Indian cities

The ash plume is likely to enter Gujarat before moving towards Rajasthan, Delhi–NCR, and Punjab in the next few hours.

Also read| Ash from Ethiopian volcanic eruption to hit NW India, Delhi, several flights impacted

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the plumes are rising 10–15 kilometres above the Earth’s surface and contain volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and fine rock particles. The weather department further said the phenomenon will primarily affect flight operations.

IMD director general M Mohapatra told HT that the plumes are in the "upper-levels" so people will not see a significant impact near the surface. "It will appear as a hazy, cloudy sky with its impact expected for a few hours, as it continues to move further eastwards,” he said.

Mohapatra added that the impact on cities "will mainly be a marginal rise in the temperature".

"Similar to clouds, the minimum will rise. It is unclear whether it will impact air quality, but any significant impact is unlikely as it is at higher levels," he said.

Airlines started cancelling flights on Monday afternoon as the ash cloud travelled across the Red Sea and drifted towards the Middle East and Central Asia. A Mumbai airport official added that several flights were being rerouted through Pakistan’s airspace to avoid the affected region.

Also read| Amid Delhi's toxic air quality, offices to work at 50% strength, WFH for rest

“Flights either have to be re-routed or cancelled. While the impact on flight operations are minimal today, the situation is expected to be worse on Tuesday,” another person close to the development said.

“The ministry officials as well as the DGCA are keeping a close eye on the matter. If the ashes settle over Delhi and Jaipur by Tuesday, Indian aviation is expected to be impacted severely,” he added.

Meteorological experts said the plume was moving rapidly across Central Asia and into India.

This is expected to possibly spike the already high pollution levels in the region too. Already, air quality in NCR was on the brink of ‘severe’ at most locations. Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 382 at 4 pm on Monday. It was 396 (very poor) at Ghaziabad at the same time; 397 in Noida; 382 at Greater Noida and 232 (poor) in Faridabad.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jasjeev Gandhiok
Jasjeev Gandhiok is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times, where he covers environment, climate change, the clean energy transition and wildlife at the National Bureau. Gandhiok has over a decade of experience in journalism and is based in Delhi. He has reported extensively on Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This includes the region's air pollution woes, a polluted Yamuna and on urban wildlife still thriving in the region. He joined HT in October 2021. Prior to that, he had five-year stint at The Times of India in Delhi, where he also covered Delhi, with a focus on environment and wildlife. Gandhiok has covered some recent events around the Capital too, ranging from the farmers' protests, the northeast Delhi riots and the CAA-NRC protests, reporting from the ground on all of these. He also travels across the country to report on how environment and climate change impact everyday life, while also writing on endangered species. His reports in 2019 on toxic leachate from Delhi's landfills led to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) taking suo motu cognisance and ultimately asking the state government to start bio-mining to flatten and remove all three landfills in the capital. He also closely tracks the implementation of government policies on climate, renewable energy and environmental protection. His focus remains on impactful, public-interest journalism which explains how environmental decisions affect people's everyday lives.Read More
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neha LM Tripathi
Neha LM Tripathi is a Special Correspondent with the National Political Bureau of Hindustan Times. She covers the aviation and railways ministries, and also writes on travel trends. Her work spans national developments, with a focus on policy, people, and the evolving travel landscape. She has 13 years of experience. Before moving to Delhi, she was based in Mumbai, where she began her journey as a journalist. Outside the newsroom, Neha enjoys trekking and travelling.Read More

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