Ethiopia’s rare volcano eruption sends ash cloud toward Pakistan, aviation alert issued

A rare volcanic eruption in northeast Ethiopia has triggered an aviation warning for parts of the Arabian Sea region, including southern Pakistan, although authorities say no immediate threat to land-based population has been identified.

The eruption of Hayli Gubbi, located in Ethiopia’s far region, occurred on Sunday and marked the volcano’s first known explosive event in thousands of years. The resulting ash plume climbed high into the atmosphere and is currently drifting over Yemen, Oman and toward coastal Pakistan, prompting the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) to issue an aviation watch alert.

According to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), the ash plume has already reached flight-levels used by international aircraft and is moving across the Arabian Peninsula and sea. 

The PMD noted that while the cloud is in the general trajectory toward southern Pakistan, its projected path keeps it mostly over the deep Arabian Sea and away from major population centres such as Karachi. Domestic flights (operating around 35,000 ft) and international flights (around 40,000-45,000 ft) are being warned because ash ingestion can pose serious engine hazards.

The PMD further stated that although the cloud passed approximately 60 nautical miles south of Gwadar earlier, it remained offshore and is expected to keep drifting northeast into Indian air-space rather than impacting ground-level conditions in Pakistan. 

In Ethiopia, eyewitnesses described the blast as extraordinarily powerful, so much that the sound and shock waves were reportedly felt in neighbouring regions including Djibouti and the Wollo area. 

Volcanic-ash risks to aviation are well-documented. Ingested ash particles can melt inside jet engines, adhere to turbine blades, reduce performance or even trigger flame-out, prompting international aviation bodies to issue strict guidelines.

Authorities in the region are continuing to monitor the situation closely. Airlines have already begun cancelling or rerouting flights in neighbouring countries as a precaution, and Pakistani aviation regulators remain on alert pending any change in ash-cloud trajectory.

For now, residents in Pakistan’s coastal and inland areas are advised to remain informed via official channels, but no ground-level hazard has been declared at this time.