NATIONAL NEWS
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has confirmed that the ash cloud originating from Ethiopia’s Haile Gebi volcano has now drifted past Pakistan, eliminating any potential danger to air travel or public safety.
The Haile Gebi volcano—erupting for the first time on record—had blasted a massive ash plume reaching nearly 14 km (around 45,000 ft) into the atmosphere. The high-altitude cloud then moved across Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and parts of southern Pakistan.
Authorities stated that Pakistan’s domestic air routes are now safe, with airspace being continually monitored as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, the aftermath of the eruption caused disruptions for Indian airlines. Both Air India and Akasa Air temporarily grounded flights that may have crossed the ash zone. Air India canceled 11 flights over Monday and Tuesday to perform inspections on aircraft, while Akasa Air halted services to destinations including Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, and Jeddah during the same period.
The India Meteorological Department reported that the ash cloud is now drifting toward China and was expected to completely clear India’s airspace by Tuesday afternoon (1400 GMT).
Officials on both sides of the border have emphasized that the ash plume never posed a direct threat to the public on the ground. Global aviation monitors, including Flightradar24, have tracked the shifting cloud, confirming its path as it swept over Yemen and Oman before dispersing across Pakistan and northern India.
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