The long-silent Hayli Gubbi volcano in northern Ethiopia has begun to calm after several days of vigorous activity that caused notable damage to nearby settlements and disrupted air travel in the vicinity. The volcano's effects are particularly felt in the Afdera district of the Afar region, where thick layers of ash have accumulated, leading residents to confront health challenges and shortages of livestock.
Officials reported an uptick in respiratory issues among locals due to airborne ash, while livestock has faced tough conditions as essential grass and water supplies were buried under thick ash. Mobile health teams have been deployed to the most severely impacted towns, such as Fia and Nemma-Gubi, to aid residents.
The expansive ash cloud has traveled widely due to robust winds, crossing over the Red Sea and advancing over countries like Yemen, Oman, and the Arabian Sea before reaching parts of western and northern India. This resulted in the cancellation or delay of numerous international flights, particularly by airlines such as Air India and Akasa Air, primarily affecting routes to Middle Eastern cities like Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi.
At least seven international flights were scrapped, with more than a dozen experiencing delays at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport due to safety precautions prompted by the ash cloud. Aviation authorities mandated comprehensive inspections of aircraft that had traversed the affected areas.
Experts noted that Ethiopia is situated along an active rift system, where seismic and volcanic activities are frequent. Geologists pointed out this is the first recorded eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in 10,000 years. The volcanic activity is anticipated to persist briefly before tapering off.
Meteorological departments in India have reported that the ash cloud is drifting eastward towards China and is expected to disperse from Indian skies by late Tuesday, allowing for a return to normalcy.
This eruption has underscored the ongoing hazards that communities in proximity to active geological zones face, illustrating the broad repercussions such natural occurrences can have, including disruptions to international flights and health complications for local populations.
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