Ethiopian Volcano Ash Cloud Drifts Over India: How It Travelled, Its Impact, and How It Will Dissipate: Complete Detail
A rare and powerful Eruption from Ethiopia’s long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano sent a massive Plume of volcanic Ash and gases high into the atmosphere. Fast-moving upper-level winds carried this Ash Cloud across continents, briefly influencing parts of India, including Delhi-NCR, before moving further east.
How the Ash Cloud Travelled
After the Eruption, the Ash Plume rose to high altitudes and followed this path:
From northern Ethiopia’s Afar/Danakil region, where the volcano is located
Crossing the Red Sea toward the Arabian Peninsula
Passing over Yemen and Oman
Moving across the Arabian Sea into India
Initially entering over Gujarat, then drifting across Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Punjab
Moving toward the Himalayan foothills, Nepal, and further east toward China
This journey was tracked through satellite observations and weather models that showed the Plume moving rapidly due to strong westerly winds.
Where the Ash Cloud Is Now
As of the latest updates, the Ash Plume has moved out of most parts of India.
It continued its journey eastward and has now travelled toward China, with only thin, diluted remnants passing over parts of northeast India before clearing completely.
What Impact It Had on India
1. Aviation Disruptions
The biggest and most immediate impact was on flights.
Airlines cancelled, delayed, or rerouted services to avoid flying through Ash-contaminated airspace. Even passing through thin Ash layers requires aircraft inspections, so airlines exercised extra caution.
2. Local Impact at the Volcano Site
In the Afar region of Ethiopia, villages experienced heavy Ashfall.
People reported eye irritation, breathing difficulties, and livestock suffered from dust exposure, prompting emergency response teams to be deployed.
3. Air Quality in India
Despite the Cloud passing over several states, India did not experience major air quality deterioration.
This is because the Ash Plume remained at a very high altitude (around 8–15 km above ground), preventing significant settling of Ash on the surface.
How Volcanic Ash Disperses
Volcanic Ash does not “dissolve” in a chemical sense, but it gradually leaves the atmosphere through:
• Gravitational settling
Heavier Ash particles fall to the ground near the Eruption site or gradually along the path.
• Rainfall wAshout
Rain helps remove fine particles from the atmosphere by pulling them down to the surface.
• Atmospheric dispersion
High-level winds spread the Ash until it becomes so thin that its concentration becomes harmless.
Typically, such Ash Clouds clear within a few days, depending on wind patterns and rainfall.
How Dangerous or Poisonous Is Volcanic Ash?
The Ash itself is not poisonous like a chemical toxin, but it can be harmful:
Health Risks:
Fine Ash can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs
People with asthma, allergies, or lung issues may experience discomfort
Children, elderly people, and heart patients are more sensitive
Gases from the Eruption
Volcanoes also release gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂).
High concentrations near the volcano can be dangerous, but once these gases rise high and travel thousands of kilometres, they are heavily diluted and usually pose minimal risk to distant populations.
Agriculture & Water
Severe damage happens only near the Eruption zone.
In faraway countries like India, a passing high-altitude Plume does not affect crops, soil, or water.
Safety Tips (If Ashfall Ever Occurs Locally)
Even though it didn’t fall heavily in India this time, here are standard precautions:
Stay indoors and keep windows shut
Use an N95/FFP2 mask if outdoor exposure is necessary
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity
Protect your eyes with glasses
Keep pets and water sources covered
The Ethiopian Ash Cloud was a rare event that travelled an unusually long distance.
While it caused flight disruptions and brought attention to the skies over India, its health impact on the general public was minimal because the Ash stayed at high altitudes and passed over quickly. The Plume has now moved away, and Indian skies are clear again.
Shrishty Sharma
Group HR Head / Author
Asiatic International Corp
Shrishty@Flying-Crews.com
Shrishty@Air-aviator.com
LinkedIn :
Link tree:
https://linktr.ee/Shrishty_HRM_Flying_Crews
Vcard:
https://shrishtysharma.vcardinfo.com
Instagram :
https://www.instagram.com/flyingcrewhrm
YouTube :
https://www.youtube.com/aerosoftCorp
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment