Dust and sand storms (DSS) are atmospheric phenomena where strong winds lift dust and sand particles from the surface and transport them across long distances. These storms impact public health, agriculture, infrastructure, and ecosystems, and contribute to land degradation.
According to UNCCD, over 2,000 DSS events occur annually, with increasing frequency and intensity, especially in drylands.
Causes of DSS
Land degradation and vegetation loss
Drought and climate change
Exposure of dry lakebeds (e.g., Aral Sea)
Unsustainable grazing and land use
Construction and farming without protective measures
Regional Context: Central Asia and Russia
DSS are increasingly common in Central Asia and southern Russia. In Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, major sources include desertified zones and dust hotspots around the dried Aral Sea. In Russia, DSS are recorded annually in steppe regions such as Kalmykia and Astrakhan.
Uzbekistan’s Involvement
Uzbekistan is one of the most affected countries by DSS. The dried bed of the Aral Sea is a major dust source. Uzbekistan is responding through:
Large-scale afforestation (over 1.7 million hectares)
Participation in UNCCD DSS initiatives
Development of a national DSS strategy
Proposal to host a regional DSS monitoring center
Impacts
Air pollution and respiratory health risks
Soil fertility loss
Damage to infrastructure
Contamination of water bodies
Transboundary environmental threats
Response Measures
UNCCD and WMO are advancing a global DSS monitoring platform. Recommended actions include:
