'Moving at 100-120km/h': Ethiopian Volcano Ash Drifts Towards India, Several Flights Cancelled

Several Indian airlines, including IndiGo and Akasa Air, cancelled flights on Monday, while airports issued advisories over possible disruptions due to an ash plume from volcanic activity in Ethiopia. The plume, travelling at about 100–120 km/hour, entered India last night.Ethopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years on Sunday, sending thick ash plumes across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman.The ash cloud's dense, experts said, could plummet the already severe air quality in Delhi and its neighbouring areas.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed airlines to avoid ash-affected areas, adjust flight planning, routing, and fuel considerations based on the latest advisories."A special forecast

has been issued. An advisory has been issued. The fumes entered India last night, touching Rajasthan then moving onto other parts of India. Visibility will be affected, but not AQI. Most effect is on Air traffic," a senior official of IMD told Times Now.Airlines have also been instructed to immediately report any suspected ash encounter, including engine performance anomalies or cabin smoke or odour.If volcanic ash affects airport operations, then the operator concerned must immediately inspect runways, taxiways, and aprons, the DGCA said.Akasa Air cancelled its flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 24 and 25 due to the ash plume.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines said it cancelled its Amsterdam-Delhi service (KL 871) and the return Delhi-Amsterdam flight (KL 872).According to reports, Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption caused moderate tremors in areas around Erta Ale and Afdera town in Ethopia. The volcano is located about nine miles (15 kilometres) southeast of the active Erta Ale volcano.