• Volcanic ash from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi disrupts Indian air traffic, prompting cancellations and reroutes.
• Indian aviation authorities warn that ash can severely damage aircraft engines.
• The ash cloud is moving at speeds of 100-120 km/h, affecting major cities like Delhi and Mumbai.
• Airlines have been instructed to avoid affected airspaces and report any engine anomalies.
• The ash plume is expected to clear from Indian skies soon, reducing the operational disruption.

A massive volcanic ash cloud from Ethiopia's recently erupted Hayli Gubbi volcano is moving towards India, causing significant disruptions in air traffic. The ash plume, which began drifting on Sunday, has affected flight operations across several regions, notably as it entered Gujarat and is expected to pass through Rajasthan, Delhi, and beyond, according to India Times, India Times, and Africa News.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India has issued alerts advising airlines to avoid affected airspaces as the ash cloud poses a serious threat to flight safety, primarily due to the presence of fine glass particles. These particles can severely impede engine function and lead to potential mid-air shutdowns, as reported by India Times and BBC.

Several airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air, have begun to cancel or reroute flights amidst growing concerns about the ash affecting air travel safety. Notably, International flights heading to and from regions impacted by the plume have also been re-evaluated, with aviation authorities emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring. This has been corroborated by reports from AA and India Times.

As the ash cloud extends across northern India, it has prompted airports to conduct thorough inspections of runways and taxiways for potential contamination that could compromise aircraft operations. The situation is continuously evolving as the DGCA and individual airlines monitor the plume's trajectory, which is forecasted to clear from Indian airspace relatively soon, as indicated by India Times and BBC.