Ethiopian Volcanic Ash Cloud: Threat Moving Towards India and DGCA’s Major Warning

Ethiopian Volcanic Ash Cloud: Threat Moving Towards India and DGCA’s Major Warning

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia, located in eastern Africa, recently suddenly erupted, spewing a large amount of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. According to reports from weather satellites and global volcano monitoring agencies, this ash cloud is now moving northeastward toward India. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), considering this a serious threat, has issued clear instructions to all airlines to avoid affected air routes and divert routes as needed.
This incident is not limited to the aviation industry; it could also have environmental, economic, and health implications. In this blog, we will explore in detail how this volcanic ash cloud forms, how it is reaching India, its potential impact, and the steps taken by the DGCA.

1. Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption—A Sudden Alert

Ethiopia lies in the Rift Valley region of East Africa, where the Earth’s crust remains unstable due to frequent cracks and movements. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in this region, had been dormant for a long time but suddenly became active due to recent geological activity.
After the eruption:
High temperatures and ash and gases from the volcano reached several kilometers into the atmosphere.
The ash contains silica, sulfur dioxide, and heavy metals, which spread through the air and affected a vast area.
International satellite agencies have confirmed the eastward movement of the ash cloud.

2. Why and how is the ash cloud moving toward India?
   Volcanic ash spreads according to wind directions and upper atmospheric currents. Currently:
   Westerlies are active in the Indian Ocean region,
   Jet streams in the upper atmosphere are moving eastward.
   This is why the ash cloud—
   first over Somalia,
   then the Arabian Sea,
   and is now moving toward India’s western and southern air routes.
   This ash cloud extends very high above the ground, at an altitude of 20,000–40,000 feet—the flying altitude of international flights.
3. How dangerous is volcanic ash for airplanes?
   Volcanic ash isn’t just plain smoke; it’s extremely sharp silicate particles that can damage engines, windshields, sensors, and nozzles.
   Aircraft can face these potential risks from the ash cloud:
4. Risk of Engine Failure
   The ash can melt and stick inside the engine, causing a sudden decrease in engine thrust and even engine failure. Historically, there have been numerous instances of aircraft experiencing an “engine stall” after being caught in an ash cloud.
5. Windshield Crystallization
   Ash particles, along with high winds, can strike the windshield, making it opaque or hazy. This can impair visibility for the pilot.
6. Damage to Navigation Sensors

Pitot tubes, angle sensors, and icing indicators can become inoperable due to exposure to ash, seriously impacting flight safety.

4. Impact on Cabin Air Quality
   Fine ash particles can affect cabin filters, increasing the risk of respiratory damage to passengers.
5. DGCA Warning—How Prepared Has India Been?
   Taking this situation seriously, the DGCA has issued an advisory to all domestic and international airlines operating in India. These include:
6. Instructions to Avoid Affected Airspace
   Airlines have been advised not to operate flights over areas where the ash cloud density is high.
   Especially the Arabian Sea route
   and the over-ocean corridor of southwest India
7. Flight rerouting
   Airlines may choose to:
   Alternate air routes
   Altitude adjustments
   or change flight times.
8. Real-time monitoring arrangements
   The DGCA, in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMD) and international agencies, has established arrangements to continuously track reports from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC).
9. Additional aircraft inspections
   Inspection and maintenance of aircraft traveling to the ash-affected area has been increased.
10. Potential impact on passengers
    If the situation persists, passengers may also be affected by:
    Flght delays
    Possible flight cancellations
    Temporary increase in ticket prices
    Extended flight schedules
    Many commercial and cargo flights operate between India and Africa, which are bound to be affected.
11. Will this also affect India’s weather?
    Volcanic ash and gases (such as SO₂) spreading into the atmosphere can:
    Block sunlight,
    Cause a slight drop in temperatures.
    If the ash cloud becomes dense enough and persists over India for several days, it could:
    Cause haze and light smog in some areas
    Difficulty breathing
    Create health risks for sensitive people. However, currently, scientists believe that its main impact will be limited to the upper atmosphere.
12. Examples of such events in global aviation history
    The world has been affected by volcanic ash before:

2010: Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which shut down European air services for several days.
1991: Mount Pinatubo eruption caused a drop in global temperatures.
1982: British Airways Flight 9 stalled mid-air due to ash entering its engine, but the pilot miraculously landed safely.
These incidents proved that ash clouds pose an invisible but deadly threat to aviation.

8. Way Forward—How will India handle the situation?
   India has both monitoring and planning in place, but vigilance is essential:
   DGCA and airlines are constantly updating flight operational plans.
   Reliance on satellite images and VAAC reports has been increased.
   Timely information is being issued to passengers.
   The next 24–48 hours are likely to be decisive in this entire situation.

Conclusion
The ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano is moving toward India, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to issue a serious warning. This is a force of nature that humans cannot stop, but its impact can be mitigated with the help of science and technology.
The aviation sector must remain on high alert for the time being, and passengers should be prepared for possible flight changes. The coming days will reveal the seriousness of this ash cloud’s threat to India.
This blog will be updated as new information becomes available.
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