Pakistan Airspace Clear After Ethiopian Volcano Eruption

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has clarified that Pakistan’s airspace and atmosphere remain completely safe following the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia after 12,000 years, with the ash clouds now moving towards India and China.

According to media reports, the volcano erupted on Sunday for the first time in recorded history, sending ash plumes up to 14 kilometres into the atmosphere.

PMD spokesperson Anjum Nazir told Geo News that volcanic ash was observed at around 10:00am on Tuesday at an altitude of 45,000 feet south of Gwadar. He said the ash had passed over Sindh via the Arabian Sea but had no impact on land, weather, or air quality in the province.

He added that the ash clouds have now moved towards India, particularly Rajasthan, and are continuing their movement towards China. “Pakistan’s airspace is currently clear and safe. Oman, Yemen and Pakistan have now become clear since this morning,” he said.

Nazir further stated that due to its high altitude, the ash will not affect Pakistan’s northern areas or cause any rise in air pollution. He noted that volcanic ash cannot be seen on ordinary satellite imagery.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department confirmed that the effects of the ash cloud were observed over Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. It said the ash clouds are moving towards China and are expected to exit Indian airspace by Tuesday evening at around 7:30pm.

Following the eruption, Air India cancelled 11 flights over safety concerns, while airline Akasa also suspended some flights to Middle Eastern destinations including Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi as a precaution.

Despite the regional spread of the ash cloud, Pakistan’s Met Department has reassured the public that the country remains unaffected in terms of atmospheric conditions and air quality.