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Ethiopian Volcano Ash Threatens Delhi Air
25 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Delhi's air quality was 'very poor' on November 25, 2025.
- An Ethiopian volcano eruption sent ash clouds eastward across the Red Sea.
- Ash influence was forecast for Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana on Tuesday.
A thick haze enveloped Delhi on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, as the city's air quality registered as "very poor." This situation coincided with concerns that ash from a recent volcanic eruption in Ethiopia could further degrade air quality in the region. The shield volcano, Hayli Gubbi, in Ethiopia's Afar region, erupted on Sunday, November 23, 2025, sending a large ash plume approximately 14km high eastward across the Red Sea.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the ash clouds were predicted to drift towards China and move away from India by Tuesday evening. However, forecast models indicated that ash might influence air quality in Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana on Tuesday. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an AQI of 360 in Delhi on Thursday, November 20, 2025, a slight improvement from 382 on Monday, November 17, 2025, but still within the "very poor" category.
One monitoring station in Rohini recorded a "severe" AQI of 416. The air quality is expected to persist in the "very poor" range for the next few days. Meanwhile, Delhi's weather on Tuesday saw a minimum temperature of 9°C, 2.3 notches below average, with the maximum temperature anticipated around 27°C, accompanied by mist and moderate fog.
