Hold your breath, northern India! Just when you thought the air couldn’t get any worse, here comes a massive ash cloud straight from Ethiopia! The sleepy Hayli Gubbi volcano, quiet for nearly 10,000 years, erupted explosively on Sunday morning at 8:30 am UTC. Though the eruption has stopped, a "large ash plume is moving toward northern India," says the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC). IndiaMetSky Weather warns that the ash cloud will enter India through Gujarat in the evening and race over Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab by 10 pm. Later, it will drift toward the mighty Himalayas and other regions. So, what is this ash cloud? It’s a smoky mix of volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and tiny rock and glass bits thrown high into the sky—between 15,000 to 45,000 feet! Zooming at 100-120 km/h, it’s breathing haze and danger. Why the fuss? Volcanic ash darkens the sky and makes air dirty—causing coughs, eye irritation, and skin troubles. For airplanes, it’s a nightmare! Ash can mess up engines and visibility, forcing delays or detours. History shows us the horrors: in 1982, planes lost power when flying through ash clouds from Indonesia’s Mt. Galunggung. Luckily, pilots managed to land safely, but it was a close call. That’s why agencies like ICAO and WMO keep a close watch with the International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW). India’s DGCA has told airlines to avoid ash zones and report even tiny signs of trouble like engine glitches or cabin smoke. If you live in the affected areas, here’s your game plan: stay indoors, keep windows and doors shut tight, and wear an N95 mask if you need to step out. People with breathing issues like asthma should be extra careful and carry their medicines. Remember, volcanic ash usually won’t kill but can cause serious discomfort and health problems. Back to our star volcano—Hayli Gubbi sits in Ethiopia’s Erta Ale Range and last roared to life over 10,000 years ago! Its recent blast sent ash clouds floating across the Red Sea toward Oman and Yemen before heading east toward India. Meteorologists are urging people to watch their skies darken and share pictures of this rare ash cloud visitor. Will the skies stay clear, or will this volcanic dust bring another layer of challenge to India’s already polluted air? Stay tuned!