India, Nov. 24 -- A thick cloud of volcanic ash from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano, which has erupted for the first time in thousands of years, is expected to reach northwest India on Monday night, meteorological experts said.

Officials aware with the matter said that aircraft operations over parts of Indian airspace are already beginning to feel the impact as the ash advances towards the region. Further disruptions are likely through the night, HT reported earlier.

The ash plume is likely to enter Gujarat before moving towards Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR, and Punjab in the next few hours.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the plumes are rising 10-15 kilometres above the Earth's surface and contain volcanic ash, sulphur...