After 12,000 years, Ethiopia's Hailu Gebe Volcano in the Afar region erupted on the evening of November 23, 2025. This marked the first recorded eruption in history. The volcano spewed ash and gas into the sky, crossing the Red Sea to Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, and finally reaching India. Satellite images from NASA and the meteorological department vividly display this.
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The journey of the ash was remarkably swift. Within hours of the eruption, a cloud rose to an altitude of 14 kilometers (about 45,000 feet). Strong upper winds (jet streams) drove it eastward, entering Rajasthan on November 24 and reaching Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Punjab, and Haryana by November 25. The total spread has now covered an area equivalent to the entire continent of Australia, at 5.4 million square kilometers.
Source: aajtak
The burning question – will Delhi’s air quality deteriorate? The answer is no. Meteorological department head, Mrityunjay Mahapatra, explained that the ash lies in the upper atmosphere, at an altitude of 8.5 to 15 kilometers. The air we breathe is measured only up to 10-20 meters above ground. Ash at such heights will not descend, thus the AQI remains unaffected.
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Source: aajtak
So who is at risk? Only aircraft. The ash consists of fine particles resembling glass. If a plane flies through it, these particles can enter the engine, melt, and form glass, potentially leading to engine failure. Consequently, Air India, Indigo, and SpiceJet have canceled or rerouted many flights. Pilots now fly at altitudes above or below the ash layer to avoid it.
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On a brighter note, the sulfur dioxide gas accompanying the ash could form clouds, potentially bringing light rain on November 27-28. If this happens, it could wash away Delhi’s smog. Overall, by November 27, the ash will diminish, and conditions should return to normal by November 28.
Source: aajtak
There's nothing to worry about. This is a rare glimpse of nature – a 12,000-year-old volcano awakened, spreading its ash worldwide. Just a little patience, and in 2-3 days, the sky will be clear again.
