Centre closely monitoring volcanic ash plumes as flights delayed nationwide; cloud likely to exit Indian airspace by evening
PTC Web Desk: Air travel across India faced major disruptions on Tuesday after ash plumes from a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia drifted into Indian airspace, forcing multiple airlines to delay or cancel flights. The disruption affected routes primarily over northern and western India.
According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, close coordination is underway with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Air Traffic Control (ATC), international aviation agencies and domestic airlines to manage the situation and ensure passenger safety.
The ministry said in a post on X that authorities are "closely monitoring" the volcanic ash movement and issuing timely updates to airlines and passengers. It added that overall operations remain stable and there is currently "no cause for concern." The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also issued NOTAM alerts to keep pilots and operations teams informed.
The ash plume entered Indian airspace late Monday after travelling across Yemen, Oman and the Arabian Sea, first affecting Gujarat and Rajasthan before moving over Delhi. Throughout Tuesday, the plume continued shifting toward eastern and northeastern India.
The IMD confirmed that the volcanic ash cloud is concentrated in the upper atmosphere and does not pose a risk to public health or local weather conditions. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the impact is limited to aviation due to reduced visibility and engine safety risks at high altitudes. He added that the plume is likely to exit Indian airspace by evening and move toward China.
Flightradar24 also reported the movement of the ash cloud and continued tracking its progression.
Scientists say the rare eruption occurred after nearly 12,000 years of inactivity due to tectonic shifts in the Ethiopian region.
With most airlines awaiting clearance for safe flight paths, passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to airports.
- With inputs from agencies
