Is Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcanic Ash Affecting Delhi’s Air Quality? IMD Provides Insights

The Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department, Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, explained that the volcanic ash plume from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano has drifted over North India, leading to worries amidst Delhi’s already severe AQI levels. However, Mohapatra emphasized that the ash is confined to the upper troposphere and will not affect the surface air quality. The ash cloud had moved from Ethiopia towards Yemen, Oman, and the Arabian Sea before reaching regions like Gujarat-Rajasthan and eventually Delhi and North India. It is currently making its way over Eastern India as of Tuesday afternoon. Mohapatra noted that the volcanic ash plume was traveling towards eastern India at speeds ranging from 100-150 kmph. He projected that the ash cloud will exit the Indian region and move towards China by around 7:30 PM-8 PM. Mohapatra reiterated that the ash cloud’s presence in the upper troposphere, which ranges from 8 km to around 15 km into space, would not impact the weather or air quality at ground level. As a comparison, commercial aircraft typically fly at altitudes between 25,000 feet to 42,000 feet. Therefore, Mohapatra concluded that the volcanic ash plume would not have any direct consequences on surface-level weather or air quality in India.