Dust Storm hits India,continues in Pakistan

METD WEATHER
Akshay Deoras
Severe Weather Forecaster

THE 500TH POST OF METD WEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Sandstorm also hit Jamnagar,Gujarat. Mr.Sagar Kinikar sends METD WEATHER the above photos which clearly show the suspended dust particles! The location of the photos are around Irwin Hospital,Jamnagar!

Flight taking off from Dubai airport as viewed yesterday
Courtesy- Gulf News


*** DUST STORM CONFIRMED IN GUJARAT,RAJASTHAN,NEW DELHI,PUNJAB,HARYANA EVEN IN SRINAGAR,INDIA


*** MANY AREAS IN NORTH INDIA WITNESSED BLOWING SAND IN THE AFTERNOON HOURS


After targeting Gulf countries, the dust storm entered today in India after impacting Pakistan yesterday.
Wide weather reports and observations from Rajkot,Ahmedabad,Jaipur,New Delhi,Amritsar,Ludhiana,Srinagar confirm conditions like " Widespread Dust" and "Blowing Sand" today. The visibility also dropped below 1km however no disruptions in air traffic were observed today

Conditions now-
Right now, I can't provide any satellite imagery as its night period in Asia which inhibits the Visibile spectrum. Nevertheless, check the wonderful photos sent by Mr. Sagar Kinikar from Jamnagar,Gujarat at the top

Gujarat continues to get BLOWING SAND as of 1030PM IST.VISIBILITY IS AROUND 1KM ON AVERAGE. 


EXTREME NORTHERN-WESTERN GUJARAT,SINDH REGION IS GETTING FOG DUE TO THE DUST





Above- MODIS image shows yellow areas in Sindh,North-Western Gujarat which are fog due to dust. 


*** WIDESPREAD DUST CONTINUES IN SINDH AREA
THE INTENSITY OF THE DUST HAS REDUCED JUST SOMETIME AGO BUT CONDITIONS ARE STILL UNFAVORABLE FOR SINDH AREA. 


*** BLOWING SAND CONTINUES IN RAJASTHAN
JAIPUR STATION CONDITIONS ARE CLEARLY INDICATING LOW DRIFTING DUST PRESENT AS ON THR NIGHT TODAY. 


*** MILD DUSTY WEATHER CONTINUING IN PUNJAB,HARYANA NOW
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FORECAST (VALID 12HRS TILL 0730GMT,20TH MARCH 2012)


AS OF EVENING 20TH MARCH, WIDESPREAD DUST PLUMES PERSISTS IN THE NORTH ARABIAN SEA AND SAUDI ARABIA. 
** THE SHAMAL WINDS ARE NOW EXPECTED TO RELAX NOW OVER GULF COUNTRIES PARTICULARLY SAUDI ARABIA,OMAN AS THE LOW PRESSURE HAS MOVED TOWARDS SINDH




Above image from Kuwait Weather Dept. shows the L over Sindh


What it means?


It means that conditions will further improve for Gulf Countries,Oman. Since the prolonged effect of a Shamal dust storm remains for around 3-4 days, mild visibility problems and suspended particles of dust shall continue till +12hrs from the post and declining on 21st March


There will be a reduction in the volume of dust arriving in Sindh from now onwards as less winds will blow from Saudi Arabia. However dust from Iran and vicinity will continue to effect on 21st March also. Suspended dust particles will persists.


People are requested to take care- 


For Gujarat,Rajasthan and North India, conditions will improve on 21st March with minor amount of suspended dust particles. 


Thus PEOPLE IN THE AREAS ARE REQUESTED TO TAKE THE BELOW PRECAUTIONS WHICH ARE STANDARD


DUST STORM SAFETY------------------

Exposure and health effects

The most common symptoms experienced during a dust storm are irritation to the eyes and upper airways.

People who may be most vulnerable are:

• infants and young children
• the elderly
• people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema
• people with heart disease.

For these people, exposure to a dust storm may:

• trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks
• cause serious breathing-related problems
• contribute to cardiovascular or heart disease
• contribute to reduced life span.

Prolonged exposure to airborne dust can lead to chronic breathing and lung problems, and possibly heart disease.

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Health precautions

The following precautions can help you protect yourself and minimise the adverse effects of a dust storm:

• avoid outdoor activity. If you must go outside spend as little time outside as possible
• avoid vigorous exercise, especially if you have asthma or a breathing-related condition
• stay indoors, with windows and doors closed
• stay in air-conditioned premises, if possible and ensure regular maintenance of air conditioner filters.

If you are an asthmatic or have a respiratory condition and you develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing or chest pain, follow your prescribed treatment plan.

If symptoms do not settle, seek medical advice.

Dust storms and safety

Visibility deteriorates very quickly during a dust storm. If you are on the road and poor visibility is impairing your ability to see ahead, drive slowly. Be prepared to pull off the road if visibility deteriorates to less than 100 metres.

If your car is air-conditioned, reduce the amount of dust entering your car by switching the air intake to ‘recirculate’.

Dust storms and water tanks

To minimise the amount of dust entering your rainwater tank install a first-flush diverter.

For further information regarding private drinking water supplies,

• contact the Environmental Health Unit of the Department of Health on 1300 761 874
• refer to the Rainwater tanks booklet

Further information

If you or anyone in your family is experiencing symptoms that may be due to a dust storm, seek medical advice from your local doctor.

For further information and advice, contact the Environmental Health section of your local council.

WHAT TO DO DURING A DUST STORM-

Outrun the storm. If you see a dust storm from some distance, and you are in a vehicleor have access to one, you may be able to outrun it or detour around it. Some dust storms can travel at more than 75 miles per hour, but they frequently travel much slower. Trying to outrun a storm, however, is not advisable if you have to put yourself at risk by traveling at high speeds. If the storm is catching up with you, it's best to stop and prepare for it. Once consumed by the storm, your visibility can potentially be reduced to zero in a matter of seconds.

Pull over. If you're in transit and visibility drops to less than 300 feet, pull off the road (exit the freeway if possible), set your parking brake, turn off your headlights, and make sure brake lights and turn signals are also off. In many cases, if your exterior lights are on, other drivers will use the taillights of the person in front of them as a guide to help navigate the road ahead of them. If you are pulled off the road and are sitting there with your lights on, unbelievably, someone might think they can follow you and run right off the road or even collide with you! Turning your headlights off while stationed off the road, will reduce the possibility of a rear-end collision. If you are unable to safely pull off the road, keep your headlights on, turn on your hazard lights, slow down, and proceed with caution, sounding your horn periodically. Use the highway's centerline to guide you if you can't see in front of you. Pull over at the nearest safe spot.

Take cover and stay put. Do not attempt to move about in a blinding storm, as you will not be able to see potential hazards in your path.

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• If you're in a house or sturdy structure, stay inside. If you can quickly reach such shelter before a dust storm reaches you, get there as quickly as possible. Close allwindows and doors, and wait out the storm.
• If you're in a vehicle, roll up the windows and turn off vents that bring outside air in.
• If you are stuck outside, seek out a large rock or other landform to protect you at least partially.
• Get to high ground, since the densest concentration of sand is bouncing close to the ground, but only if (1) you can find a safe, solid, high point, (2) the storm is not accompanied by lightning and (3) there is no danger of being struck by heavier flying debris.
• Do not lie in a ditch, as flash flooding may occur even if no rain is falling where you are. In the actual dust cloud, rain generally dries up before it reaches the ground, but it may be raining nearby, and ditches, arroyos, and other low-lying areas can quickly flood.
• If you have a camel, have it sit down and press yourself against its leeward side. Camels are well adapted to surviving in dust storms.
• If you're in sand dunes, do not seek shelter right on the leeward side of the dune. The high winds can pick up huge amounts of sand very quickly, and you could find yourself being buried in sand.
• Wear a mask. If you have a respirator or mask designed to filter out small particulates, put it on immediately. If you don't have a mask, wrap a bandanna or some other piece of cloth around your nose and mouth. Moisten it a bit if you have enough water. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the inside of your nostrils to prevent drying of your mucous membranes.
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  Protect your eyes. Eyeglasses offer minimal protection from blowing dust or sand, but airtight goggles are better. If you don't have goggles, wrap a piece of cloth tightly around your head to protect your eyes and ears.
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  Shield yourself from flying objects. Cover as much of your body as possible to protect yourself from flying sand. In addition, while wind-propelled sand can hurt, a dust storm's high winds can also carry heavier (and hence more dangerous) objects. If you find yourself without shelter, try to stay low to the ground and protect your head with your arms, a backpack, or a pillow.

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