Volcano In Ethiopia Erupts First Time In 10 Thousand Years

JAKARTA - Volcano in Ethiopia erupted for the first time in 10,000 years, ejecting thick smoke and high volcanic ash into the sky. The volcanic eruption affected thousands of miles of air travel away in India.

The long inactive Hayli Gubbi volcano in the Afar region in northeastern Ethiopia was back active on Sunday, enveloping surrounding villages with volcanic ash.

Although no casualties were reported, the eruption poses a threat to local farmers for destroying important grazing grounds, local administrator Mohammed Seid told The Associated Press.

Local residents said they heard a devastating explosion when the eruption occurred.

"It felt like a bomb was suddenly thrown with smoke and ash," said Ahmed Abdela as quoted by CNN, Tuesday, November 25.

The eruption was seen from satellites, with NASA images showing thick plumes of dust billowing into the sky and rising across the Red Sea.

Volcanic smoke from the eruption floats above Yemen, Oman, and enters Pakistan and India, according to the Toulous Volcanic Ash Warning Center.

Pakistan's Meteorological Department issued a warning after ash entered its airspace on Monday night.

In India, Air India's airline canceled several domestic and international flights to carry out "a precautionary check of aircraft flying above a certain geographic location following the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano," the X statement said.

Delhi, which is experiencing severe air pollution waves, is not expected to be significantly affected as ash floats at high altitudes, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.