They also impact economies, ecosystems, weather and climate, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in its annual report on the occurrence and dangers of sand and dust storms and their impact on society.
Much of this is a natural process, but some is the result of poor water and land management, the text says.
According to experts, global average annual mean surface dust concentrations were slightly higher in 2022 than in 2021 due to increased emissions from West Central Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Iranian Plateau and northwest China.
Spatially, the estimated maximum annual mean surface dust concentration occurred in Bodéle (Chad, Africa).
Hotspots with significantly higher dust concentrations have been identified this year in Central and South America, most of Central Africa, Spain, the Red Sea, the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian Sea and the Iranian Plateau.
Also in the Bay of Bengal, in South Asia, in the Tarim Basin in northwest China and in the tropical Atlantic between West Africa and the Caribbean.
Sand and dust storms have health impacts on transport, including aviation, land transport, road and rail transport, and agriculture, affecting public health and safety as well as the economy, WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas said.
He added that the “Early Warnings for All” initiative aims to improve standard sand and dust storm forecasting capabilities.
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