Indian meteorological agency IndiaMetSky has issued an important update on its official ‘X’ handle late on Monday (24 November 2025). According to this, the ash plume (ash cloud) emanating from an active volcano in Indonesia is now moving towards the plains of North and Central India via Oman-Arabian Sea region. This plume is primarily filled with sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas, while the amount of volcanic ash is low to moderate.
According to IndiaMetSky, this cloud will not have any significant impact on the Air Quality Index (AQI), because it is in the mid-level atmosphere and is not reaching the ground surface. However, SO2 levels may be affected in certain areas. Especially the hills of Nepal, Himalayan region and Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh (Gorakhpur, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri etc.) may be affected. The reason is that some part of the plume will hit the Himalayas, due to which a part of SO2 may descend. After this this cloud will move further towards China.
Where will ashfall occur in India?
Talking about the plains, the possibility of ashfall (fall of ash) is very less in large parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. No significant change in AQI is expected at the surface. Light particles may fall at some places, but it will be in very limited quantity. Impact on air traffic is also possible; Some flights may be delayed or diverted.
The situation will persist for a few days
Talking about the impact on health, the plume is in the upper atmosphere and most of the SO2 will come down in the Himalayan regions only, hence common people will not experience symptoms like shortness of breath or eye irritation in densely populated plains like Delhi-NCR. Still, sensitive people (asthma, COPD patients) should exercise caution in Terai and hilly areas. IndiaMetSky has clarified that this situation may persist for a few days, but it is not a major pollution crisis.