Ethiopian Volcanic Ash Cloud Headed Towards India? Know Health Risk And Cities Impacted

The dormant Ethiopian volcano, Hayli Gubbi, recently erupted, and its ash cloud has entered India now. This Ethiopian volcano, Hayli Gubbi, had been dormant for the past 10,000 years but erupted over the weekend. At first, the ash plumes crossed the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman. Due to this volcanic eruption and its dense ash cloud, air travel has also been paused in several regions. Currently, this Ethiopian volcanic ash cloud has entered the Indian region and has caused a massive dip in the already poor air quality of the nation. Let us do a deep dive to find out more details behind this Ethiopian volcanic ash cloud, the health risk it poses and the cities it is going to affect! 

What is The Ethiopian Volcanic Ash Cloud Headed Towards India?

The 10,000-year-old dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia recently erupted over the weekend. From this volcanic eruption, the plume of volcanic ash from Ethiopia has swept across the Red Sea through Oman and Yemen. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this volcanic ash cloud has reached India. 

It all started with the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia. Everyone was taken aback when this dormant volcano suddenly began erupting on Sunday morning. As a result of the eruption, an ash column rose thousands of feet into the atmosphere.

Due to this ash cloud, the air quality in several cities of India has worsened. Several flights have been cancelled, delayed or rerouted in India because of this very ash. India’s aviation regulator has been monitoring this situation at hand carefully and is even asking airlines to "strictly avoid" the affected areas for safe air travel. 

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Ethiopian Volcanic Ash Cloud Health Risk For India

The ash from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano has now drifted into Delhi's skies. Amidst the already severe pollution in the capital, this ash has made the situation much worse. This volcanic ash is not like ordinary dust, it is much more harmful. It is made from pulverised rock and glass, often coated with acidic compounds and mixed with gases like sulphur dioxide. The result of living in a city covered in this volcanic ash cloud is the severe effects it can have on your health. By inhaling this fine ash or vog (volcanic smog), you will irritate your lungs, worsen asthma or bronchitis, and even trigger other breathing problems.

Our advice to you would be to stay indoors, use air purifiers and keep your windows shut. Start wearing masks when you leave your house, and be sure to see a doctor if your health starts to deteriorate because of this volcanic ash cloud.

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Indian Cities Affected By Ethiopian Volcanic Ash Cloud

The major cities in India affected by the plumes of this volcanic ash cloud are Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR and Punjab.

Image Credit: Freepik, Instagram

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