The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued its first-ever advisory after ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano drifted into Pakistani airspace, creating possible risks for aviation.
The volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending ash clouds up to 14 km high. These plumes, tracked by the Toulouse VAAC, travelled over Yemen, Oman, India, and eventually northern Pakistan.
PMD officials confirmed detecting volcanic ash 60 nautical miles southwest of Gwadar at 45,000 feet. They warned that while domestic flights fly lower, international flights operating at higher altitudes could face engine damage from ash particles.
The PMD says this is the first volcanic ash alert ever issued in Pakistan and that monitoring is ongoing. Officials noted Karachi may see ash passing at very high altitudes but stressed there is no impact on the ground.
VAAC’s interactive map shows the ash cloud passing over southern Sindh before moving toward India.
Read more: Sleeping Russian Volcano Erupts for First Time in 450 Years
