Goa, Nov. 25 -- Air travel across India faced disruptions on Monday as several flights were cancelled following an advisory issued to airlines and airports about a large ash plume drifting from volcanic activity in Ethiopia. Authorities have been urged to stay alert and prepare for possible operational challenges as the cloud mass advances over northern parts of the country.

The disruption stems from the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano, which became active on Sunday after nearly 12,000 years. The powerful eruption released massive ash plumes that travelled across the Red Sea, moving toward Yemen and Oman before spreading over the northern Arabian Sea.

Meteorological assessments indicate that the thicker, more concentrated segments o...