India, Nov. 24 -- Several flights were cancelled on Monday as Indian airlines and airports were put on alert over a massive ash plume drifting from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted on Sunday for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, media reports said.

Weather models show the plume already brushing Rajasthan and Haryana, with its denser sections likely to pass over Delhi within hours.

Experts say the ash, high in the atmosphere, may worsen air quality but is unlikely to cause ground-level ashfall.

Akasa Air, IndiGo, and KLM have cancelled multiple flights citing safety concerns.

Airlines have also been told to immediately report any suspected ash encounters, including engine irregularities or cabin smoke, or odour.

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