The massive eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia on November 23 set off a chain of atmospheric events that reached far beyond East Africa. The explosion hurled a thick column of ash roughly 14 kilometres into the atmosphere, where strong westerly winds picked it up and dispersed it across the Arabian Peninsula before pushing the plume into South Asia. Over the next 24 hours, the cloud drifted across Oman and Pakistan, eventually entering Indian airspace and passing over parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi NCR. The unusual trajectory forced India’s aviation network onto high alert as multiple carriers either rerouted or cancelled flights to avoid the volcanic ash at cruising altitudes.
By late November 25, satellite observations and meteorological models confirmed that the ash cloud had fully exited Indian skies. According to updated analyses, the plume has now advanced east-northeast towards Chinese airspace, carried steadily by upper-level winds.
Despite widespread concern, specialists and authorities now confirm that the volcanic plume had no substantial impact on Delhi’s already poor air quality. The ash cloud travelled at high altitudes, far above the boundary layer where surface-level pollution and AQI readings are determined. Meteorologists clarified that Delhi’s smog and elevated particulate matter levels continue to stem from local factors such as winter inversion, vehicular emissions and construction activity, not from the distant volcanic event.
Environmental experts stressed that volcanic ash behaves very differently from urban pollutants. While the plume contained sharp, glass-like mineral fragments and sulphur compounds, the particles never descended to the levels where residents could inhale them. As a result, the city’s pollution readings maintained their usual seasonal pattern, with no discernible spike linked to the eruption.
For airlines, the past 48 hours were consumed by emergency planning. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation instructed all flight operators to avoid international routes intersecting ash-heavy flight levels and to monitor Volcanic Ash Advisories closely. As a precautionary measure, several carriers, including Air India and Akasa Air, temporarily cancelled or rescheduled flights operating through northern and western sectors.
With the plume now well past Indian airspace, airlines have begun gradual normalisation. Flights that were rerouted over the Arabian Sea or Central India are returning to standard paths. However, operators continue thorough inspections of aircraft that previously flew near affected zones. Aviation safety experts emphasise that even indirect ash exposure can potentially harm engines, sensors and windshields, making post-event checks essential before resuming full operations.
Volcanic ash is not ordinary dust. It is composed of tiny jagged fragments of rock, minerals and volcanic glass created when magma explodes into the air. Typical components include silicate minerals and glassy particles with variable amounts of crystalline silica, iron and other minerals; sulphur dioxide and other volcanic gases often coat ash particles. These particles are abrasive and very small in the respirable range, meaning particles smaller than 10 micrometres can be inhaled deep into the lungs. Health impacts include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, short-term breathing difficulties, and risks for people with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions. Some ash types can contain crystalline silica, which poses a long-term risk if exposures are significant and prolonged.
Flying through an ash cloud is dangerous. Ash particles abrade cockpit windshields and airframe surfaces, clog sensors and pitot tubes, and, most worryingly, they can be ingested into jet engines. Inside hot sections of turbine engines, ash can melt, form a glassy coating on turbine blades and nozzles, block cooling passages and lead to rapid performance loss or flameout. Even short encounters can cause partial or complete engine failure and disable important instruments. For this reason, civil aviation authorities treat any ash encounter as an immediate safety event.
For Delhi, the immediate concern if the ash cloud drifted overhead would be increased particulate matter and respiratory irritation, reduced visibility for ground transport, and potential contamination of air conditioning and filtration systems. Local authorities and health agencies typically recommended limiting outdoor exposure, using well-fitting masks if needed, and keeping windows closed until the plume passed.
Two factors combined to make this transcontinental ash transport possible. First, the eruption was powerful enough to lift ash into the high troposphere and lower stratosphere, where winds are fast and steady. Second, prevailing upper-level wind patterns at the time carried material eastward across the Arabian Sea into the Indian subcontinent. Local weather at the surface level did not cause the ash to travel here, but it controlled how and when ash might descend to lower altitudes and affect visibility or air quality on the ground. Forecast updates from the IMD and regional aviation authorities guided the timing of advisories.
As of November 26, the ash plume has progressed beyond India and moved towards East Asia. Meteorological projections indicate that it will continue to thin and disperse as it travels farther from the eruption source. No further impact on Indian airspace is expected unless new eruptive activity occurs in Ethiopia.
Forecast models also show no risk of ash settling or descending over Indian cities. The remaining plume resides at high altitudes where it poses no threat to public health or visibility at the ground level.
Travellers flying from or into Delhi, Mumbai, or western India can expect improving conditions as schedules gradually stabilise. Some delays may continue during the day as airlines complete mandatory inspections of aircraft and restore normal routing patterns. Passengers have been advised to stay updated through airline notifications, as minor last-minute adjustments remain possible.
For residents of Delhi, there is no ash-related health threat. Standard pollution precautions remain relevant, but these are unrelated to the volcanic event. Since the ash plume has fully departed, there are no further advisories regarding outdoor activity, visibility concerns or air filtration.
(With inputs from various sources.)
1. Has the volcanic ash from Ethiopia reached Delhi?
Yes, the plume briefly passed over northern India at high altitudes, but it did not affect Delhi’s surface-level air quality or AQI.
2. Is Delhi’s air quality worse because of the volcano?
No. IMD confirms the ash stayed far above the boundary layer. Delhi’s pollution remains driven by local winter smog factors.
3. Are flights still being cancelled or rerouted?
Most cancellations occurred earlier as a precaution. With the ash cloud gone, airlines are resuming normal routes after completing safety inspections.
4. Is there any health risk from the ash cloud now?
No. The ash never descended to breathable levels in India, and the plume has completely moved out of Indian airspace.
5. Where is the ash cloud now and should travellers worry?
The plume has moved toward East Asia and is dispersing. Travellers should simply monitor airline notifications for any residual schedule adjustments.