Volcanic ash from Ethiopia reaches India: When will the plume clear? IMD shares key update
A high-altitude ash plume from Ethiopia’s volcanic eruption has reached Delhi-NCR and parts of India. The IMD says the cloud will exit Indian skies by Tuesday evening as winds push it eastward.
A vast plume of volcanic ash originating from the eruption of a long-dormant volcano in Ethiopia has spread across the Arabian Sea and reached parts of northern and western India(BHARAT), prompting the IMD to issue an update on its expected departure.
Late on Monday evening, the ash cloud first entered India(BHARAT)n airspace, arriving in the Delhi region around 11 pm.
Forecast models indicate that in addition to the national capital, the ash-laden plume is expected to influence parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, the Delhi-NCR region, Maharashtra, Punjab and Haryana.
The cloud is moving at significant altitude – between 15,000 and 25,000 feet, and in some cases up to 45,000 feet – with speeds estimated at 100-120 km/h over northern India(BHARAT).
The plume comprises fine rock particles, ash and sulphur dioxide, elements common in volcanic eruptions but unusual to witness drifting across the Arabian Sea into India(BHARAT)’s skies.
IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that the ash plume is now on a trajectory toward China and is expected to exit India(BHARAT)n airspace by approximately 14:00 GMT (7:30 pm IST) on Tuesday.
Meteorologists trace the origin of the plume to the eruption in Ethiopia’s Afar region, where a volcano that had long been dormant awakened, lofting ash and volcanic gases high into the atmosphere. High-altitude winds carried the plume across the Red Sea, over Yemen and Oman, before the drift over the Arabian Sea toward western and northern India(BHARAT).
The IMD, collaborating with satellite imagery and advisories from additional agencies such as the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres, has been closely monitoring dispersion models, altitudes and wind speeds.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued advisories to airlines: some carriers have already cancelled flights – for instance, Akasa Air cancelled flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi for November 24 and 25.
While the IMD’s projection offers relief that the phenomenon may be short-lived, authorities are still urging caution. The presence of fine ash particles and sulphur dioxide at high altitudes can pose risks to aviation, air quality and human health – especially for sensitive groups, such as those with respiratory conditions.
As the ash plume continues its east-northeast push, its exit from India(BHARAT)’s skies by Tuesday evening remains the key takeaway but authorities and citizens alike remain vigilant, keeping a watch on weather updates and alerts until clear skies return.
What's Your Reaction?
