 "Ethiopia volcanic eruption: Hayli Gubby's ash clouds to reach north India by 10 pm, DGCA warns of flight disruptions")
A plume of volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano is likely to enter parts of western India on Tuesday and make its way to several northern states. The volcano erupted for the first time in 12,000 years.
The volcano, which rises about 500 metres in altitude, sits within the Rift Valley, a zone of intense geological activity where two tectonic plates meet.
Plumes to enter India
According to IndiaMetSky Weather, an ash cloud from the volcano will enter Gujarat and move towards Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab by 10 pm today, and later it will impact the Himalayas and other regions.
Hayli Gubbi volcano sent thick plumes of smoke up to 14 kilometres (nine miles) into the sky after it erupted on Sunday and is moving at a speed of 100-120 km/h toward North India.
It is moving at altitudes ranging from 15,000–25,000 feet and up to 45,000 feet, carrying volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and fine particles of glass and rock. IndiaMetSky Weather warned that the ash could darken and haze the sky and potentially disrupt air traffic, leading to delays and longer flight times.
Flights disrupted
The historic eruption of the Ethiopian volcano has already disrupted West Asia-bound flights in India, with carriers like IndiGo and Akasa Air suspending operations on affected corridors.
In a statement, Akasa Air said that it had cancelled flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi. “Our teams are closely monitoring the situation in line with international aviation advisories and safety protocols, and will take all necessary measures as required. At Akasa Air, the safety and well-being of our passengers remains our highest priority.”
Meanwhile, IndiGo said, “Our teams are closely tracking the situation in coordination with international aviation bodies. We are fully prepared with all necessary precautions to ensure safe and reliable operations. Our 6E teams are available across all touchpoints to support you with any assistance you may need. We will continue to monitor the developments round the clock and keep you informed of any updates to help minimise inconvenience (if any).”
Quick Reads
View AllThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also instructed all Indian carriers to revise their flight plans, adjust fuel loads, and avoid any airspace or altitudes affected by the volcanic ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption.
In its advisory, the regulator directed airlines to ensure that flight crews and aircraft engineers follow all established safety protocols when operating in or near volcanic ash.
With inputs from agencies
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