Ethiopian Ash Cloud Reaches India: Will Delhi's Air Quality Worsen Again? Find Out Here

As per the reports from earlier today, a huge ash cloud from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano reached Indian skies on Monday evening, adding to the alarm among people who’re already struggling with extreme pollution. According to a weather report, the plume first entered Gujarat from the west and by around 10 pm started to sweep across Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. By early Tuesday, it started drifting toward the Himalayas and other northern territories.

What Exactly Is Passing Over India?

The plume is a high-altitude ash cloud, which carries fine particles of rock, glass, and sulphur dioxide at the speed of almost 100 to 120 km/h at 15,000 to 45,000 feet. These particles originate from volcanic eruptions and can travel thousands of kilometres depending on the wind patterns.

While such clouds might sound alarming, experts clarify that the clouds largely remain in upper layers of the atmosphere. This means the impact on ground-level air, where people breathe, is usually minimal.

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Will Delhi's Air Quality Get Worse?

Delhi-NCR woke up to a heavy haze on Tuesday morning, but officials claim this has more to do with existing pollution than foreign volcanic ash. The Central Pollution Control Board reported the AQI in the ‘very poor’ category across several stations, which is standard with winter-season trends of stagnant air, vehicle emissions, and farm residue burning.

However, experts explain that although the ash cloud may give an impression of a duller or greyer sky, this is not likely to make Delhi's air quality worse on the ground in any significant manner. The particulate matter suspended in the volcanic plume mostly remains at high altitudes, with very little mixing into the lower atmosphere.

Furthermore, the ash plume will remain above India only for a short period of time. Scientists tracking its movement say it is now blowing towards China and expected to exit the Indian airspace by 14:00 GMT (19:30 IST) today.

What Should People Expect?

Here’s what Delhi-NCR residents should expert until 19:30 IST today: 

• Slightly hazier skies for a few hours
• Potential to have vivid sunsets because of ash particles scattering sunlight
• No major spike in pollutant levels, as the ash remains high above breathing zones.

Authorities advise residents to continue following regular pollution precautions like masking outdoors and limiting exposure, guidelines already in place due to ongoing poor air quality in the region.

Bottomline

While pollution continues to be a problem in Delhi, the Ethiopian volcanic ash cloud is not likely to make it significantly worse.