A surprise blast from the long-sleeping Hayli Gubbi volcano shook northern Ethiopia’s Afar region over the weekend! On Sunday, November 23, 2025, thick ash billowed from the volcano, blanketing nearby villages in the Afdera district. The ash covered grasses and water sources, leaving animals thirsty and hungry. People were coughing, struggling with the smoky air. By Tuesday, November 25, the volcanic fury calmed down, but the damage lingered. "Two medical teams have been dispatched to the affected kebeles like Fia and Nemma-Gubi to provide mobile medical services," said Abedella Mussa, health official in Afdera district. Meanwhile, livestock officials shared concerns as the volcanic ash made clean water and fresh grass unavailable for animals. This eruption sent thick ash clouds soaring high, forcing airlines to suspend many flights. India’s Air India canceled 11 mostly international flights on November 24 and 25 for safety checks, following orders from aviation authorities. Akasa Air also grounded flights to Middle East cities like Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi. At New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, at least seven international flights were canceled and a dozen more delayed on Tuesday. How did the ash travel so far? The India Meteorological Department explained that high winds pushed the ash clouds from Ethiopia across the Red Sea, Yemen, Oman, the Arabian Sea, and finally into Indian skies. The ash was expected to clear by 1400 GMT Tuesday, restoring normal air traffic. Geologist Atalay Ayele from Addis Ababa University gave us a fascinating peek behind this fiery event: "This is the first recorded eruption of Hayli Gubbi in the last 10,000 years," he revealed. Ethiopia sits on an active rift zone, known for shaking and spewing fire now and then. "It will likely continue for a short period and then stop until the next cycle." For now, the calm after the storm lets Afar’s people and animals breathe easier, but they won’t forget the fiery spectacle their long-dormant giant just put on!