In a rare and dramatic geological event, Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano in the remote Afar Region exploded into life on Monday, November 24, 2025 — marking its first confirmed eruption in approximately 12,000 years.
The powerful blast hurled enormous plumes of volcanic ash more than 12 kilometers into the stratosphere, creating a fast-moving cloud that has now reached the Indian subcontinent and triggered widespread flight cancellations.
A Dormant Giant Awakens
Hayli Gubbi (also spelled Hayli Gubbī or Hayli-Gubbi), located in the Danakil Depression—one of the hottest and most geologically active places on Earth—had shown no historical activity since the late Pleistocene era.
Seismologists had recorded minor earthquake swarms in the area over the past month, but few anticipated the scale of Monday’s explosive eruption.
Satellite imagery from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) captured the initial plume rising rapidly, propelled by strong upper-level winds.
By Tuesday morning, the ash cloud had traversed the Arabian Sea and begun affecting airspace over western and southern India.
Major Disruptions to Indian Air Travel
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airports Authority of India issued urgent NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) warning of high concentrations of fine volcanic ash between flight levels FL200 and FL550 over Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and northern Kerala.
As of Tuesday evening, November 25, 2025, the following disruptions were reported:
- IndiGo cancelled 68 domestic and international flights, primarily at Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Goa airports.
- Air India suspended 31 services, including flights to the Middle East and Europe that overfly the affected region.
- SpiceJet, Vistara, Akasa Air, and Air India Express collectively grounded more than 40 flights.
- International carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Lufthansa diverted or cancelled select India-bound flights.
Volcanic ash poses extreme danger to aircraft: the microscopic glass-like particles can sandblast windshields, clog pitot tubes, and—most critically—melt inside jet engines at high temperatures, causing flameouts.
The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland remains the benchmark, having shut down European airspace for weeks.
“Passenger and crew safety is non-negotiable,” stated an IndiGo spokesperson. “We are working closely with meteorological and aviation authorities and will resume operations the moment the ash concentration falls to safe levels.”
How the Ash Cloud Reached India So Quickly
Prevailing north-westerly stratospheric winds at 200–250 hPa accelerated the ash plume across the Arabian Peninsula and over the Arabian Sea in under 36 hours—an unusually rapid transit aided by a strong subtropical jet stream.
The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) continue to track the plume using satellite instruments including MODIS, CALIPSO, and the Indian INSAT-3DR.
Latest models suggest the densest ash will gradually disperse eastward over the Bay of Bengal by Thursday, with lighter concentrations possibly lingering over central India through the weekend.
Health and Environmental Concerns
Beyond aviation, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the ash cloud has begun registering on air-quality monitors in coastal Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Authorities have advised residents with respiratory conditions to limit outdoor exposure and keep windows closed until the particles settle.
Agricultural experts are monitoring potential impacts on winter crops (rabi season), as even thin ash deposition can affect photosynthesis and soil pH.
Scientific Significance of the Hayli Gubbi Eruption
Researchers from Addis Ababa University and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program have described the event as “a once-in-millennia opportunity” to study a virtually untouched Pleistocene-era volcano.
Preliminary analysis indicates the eruption is silicic and highly explosive (likely VEI 4–5), similar in style to ancient caldera-forming events in the Afar rift.
Ground teams are attempting to reach the summit, though extreme heat, toxic gases, and ongoing ashfall are hampering efforts.
Outlook for Indian Skies
The DGCA has established a dedicated Volcanic Ash Task Force in coordination with the IMD and VAAC Toulouse. Real-time updates are being shared via the official website and airline apps.
Most airlines have issued full refunds or free rebooking for affected passengers and are adding extra sections on Wednesday and Thursday to clear the backlog once airspace reopens.
As of 10:30 PM IST on November 25, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport reported gradual improvement in visibility and particulate levels, raising cautious optimism that limited operations could resume by Wednesday afternoon.
For the latest flight status, passengers are advised to check directly with their airline and monitor official IMD and DGCA bulletins.
The awakening of Hayli Gubbi after twelve millennia serves as a powerful reminder of our planet’s restless nature—and of how even the most remote volcanic events can ripple across continents in today’s hyper-connected world.
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