Context: Sand and dust storms (SDS) have increased in frequency and intensity in recent years, which poses challenges in achieving sustainable development according to the United Nations (UN).

About Sand and dust storms

• Sand and dust storms (SDS) are common meteorological hazards in arid and semi-arid regions.

• SDS are usually caused by thunderstorms or strong pressure gradients associated with cyclones which increase wind speed over a wide area.

• SDS will especially affect Africa and the Middle East where desertification is most common, according to UN.

• According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the global recognition of sand and dust storms as a hazard is generally low.

• The UN has observed the first International Day of Combatting Sand and Dust Storms on July 12, 2023.

• Primary hotspots of the SDS are the Sahara Desert, the Middle East, the Taklamakan Desert in northwest China, southwest Asia, central Australia, the Etosha and Makgadikgadi basins of southern Africa, the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia and the Great Basin in the United States.

Impact of sand and dust storms (SDS) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Dust and sand storms pose a great challenge to the sustainable development of affected countries and regions.

• According to the UN, these directly affect and pose severe challenges to achieving 11 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

These SDG include

• SDG 1 on ending poverty

• SDG 2 on ending hunger

• SDG 3 on health for all

• SDG 6 on water and sanitation

• SDG 8 on inclusive and sustainable economic growth

• SDG 11 on sustainable cities

• SDG 13 on climate action

• SDG 15 which focus on combating desertification, land degradation

Effect of Sand and dust storms on food security

• According to the UNCCD report, SDS can cause crop damage, negatively affecting food quality/quantity and food security.

• Reducing desertification/land degradation (including soil erosion) in source areas will help enhance agricultural productivity, establishing links between the events and SDG 2 on a hunger-free world by 2030.

Effect of SDS on air quality & health

• SDS are recurring environmental phenomenon which reduce air quality, visibility and have adverse effects on health worldwide.

• Inhalation of fine particles carried by these storms can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems.

• According to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), many people of India Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and the Islamic Republic of Iran are exposed to medium and high levels of poor air quality due to SDS.

Effect of SDS on land degradation

• These storms are linked with SDG 15 (life on land), especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world.

• When strong or very turbulent winds blow over dry, unvegetated soils and lift loose particles from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere.

• These regions must especially focus on achieving SDG 15 by combating desertification, and halting and reversing land degradation.

Other impacts of SDS

• Shrinking water bodies are the hotspots of SDS.

• Playas are the exposed beds of shrinking water bodies, that are significant dust sources, that can be hazardous to human health.

• The demand for water for urban areas or irrigation disturbs the hydrology of ephemeral lakes and playas and adds to the crisis as dust sources.

• Under SDG 6.6, the world had a target by 2020 to protect and restore water-related ecosystems.

• According to UNESCAP report on Sand and Dust Storms in Asia and the Pacific, the intensity of sandstorms will be intense as the temperature increases, it is linked to climate change.

• According to UN, in the Middle East and North Africa, about $13 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) is lost every year due to dust storms.

• Mitigating SDS disasters will lower the number of people affected and economic losses caused, contributing to safer, and disaster-resilient human settlements as per the SDG 11.

Reducing the Impact of Sand and Dust Storms

• Localised small-scale dust emission due to human induced activities can be reduced by using temporary mechanical methods such as concrete barrier, mulching, tree buffer etc.

• Increasing the vegetation cover helps in stabilization of the soil, sand dunes and forms windbreaks.

• Use of native plants and trees as buffers can reduce wind velocity and sand drifts at the same time increases soil moisture.

• Design buildings appropriately and conduct air infiltration testing during building commissioning.

• The SDS policy and planning should reduce societal vulnerability by mitigating the effects of wind erosion.

• A multi-sectoral process bolstered by information-sharing should involve short-and long-term interventions, engage multiple stakeholders and raise awareness of SDS.

Conclusion

• Addressing SDS requires an integrated approach, which involves sustainable land management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and disaster risk reduction including early warning systems and international cooperation.