Ash cloud from Ethiopia’s volcano Hayli Gubbi enters Delhi, flights cancelled

An ash cloud from Ethiopia’s volcano Hayli Gubbi entered western regions and spread across northern states, already affected by hazardous air quality. By 10 pm on Monday, it entered Delhi and Haryana. Air India and Akasa Air have cancelled several flights as the ash cloud is travelling at high altitudes, causing disruption. 

Volcanic ash cloud enters Delhi 

Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano began on November 23, 2025, and has been active for more than 12,000 years, causing a vast impact in the country and beyond. No casualties have been reported due to the timely action, though it led to the massive eruption of plumes of ash and sulphur dioxide up to 14-15 km, which affected he neighbouring countries. 

Nearby villages have been engulfed by the thick smoke and pose a tremendous threat to the health of people. The high-altitude winds spread the ash cloud in the eastern part towards the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, and entered Yemen, Oman, and the Indian Subcontinent. As per the reports, the ash cloud entered from Gujarat and spread into Northern Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and moved toward the Himalayas. 

To deteriorate the air quality? 

With a speed of 100-120 km/h at altitudes of 15,000 to 45,000 feet, the ash cloud is travelling ahead and seemingly impacts the air quality in the northern region. The cloud is hazardous as it holds up Volcanic ashes, sulphur dioxide, pieces of glass and tiny rocks. It will affect the air quality and encircle the region in darkness, which will heavily disrupt the flights, and common people may feel uneasy travelling. 

Air India and Akasa Air cancel flights 

The Hayli Gubbi volcano, in Ethiopia’s Afar region, erupted for the first time in 10,000 years, and it is impacting flights as far as Delhi
A cloud of ash from the volcanic eruption moved across large parts of northwest India, sweeping over Rajasthan, Gujarat ,Delhi etc pic.twitter.com/TEej1EWOGa

— tweetsforupsc (@factsforupsc) November 25, 2025

Airlines Air India and Akasa Air on Tuesday morning announced that they have cancelled some flights due to the poor air quality and avert any danger. Air India has cancelled around 11 flights, while Akasa said they are currently not travelling to Middle East destinations such as Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi. 

What did the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) say? 

Massive volcanic eruption in Ethiopia (Hayli Gubbi, Afar region) on Nov 23 — first in recorded history.
A 15 km-high ash + SO₂ plume is now circling the globe and hitting aviation hard. 🌋✈️

Ash cloud route so far:
Ethiopia → Red Sea → Yemen → Oman → Arabian Sea →… pic.twitter.com/zhP5UP85Kj

— ℂ𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕦𝕖𝕧𝕒𝕣𝕒 ★ (@cheguwera) November 25, 2025

The indian skies are expected to become clearer by 14:00 GMT on Tuesday as the ash cloud has moved towards China and the Himalayas. Currently, the Indian Skies are visibly darker.

Read more from the author Justice Surya Kant sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India