Severe drought in southeastern Brazil is causing unusually strong dust storms, resulting in multiple fatalities in recent weeks.
Dust storm appears in São Paulo. (Video: AFP)
Footage recorded on October 2 shows a massive orange dust cloud blocking the horizon in the Ilha Solteira region of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Since the end of September, this marks the third occurrence of dust storms in the area with unusual intensity, causing concern among residents in both rural and urban areas of São Paulo and the neighboring state of Minas Gerais.
Local media reports indicate that dust storms accompanied by winds reaching up to 100 km/h have toppled numerous trees and buildings, resulting in at least 6 deaths.
Meteorologist Estael Sias from the Brazilian weather channel Metsul told AFP that dust storms are not a rare phenomenon, but the frequency of their occurrence in São Paulo is unprecedented.
A massive orange dust cloud blocking the horizon in the Ilha Solteira region.
“This is the result of an extended period of drought, high temperatures, and low humidity,” Sias explained. “Severe storms are linked to climate change. Every year in this century has seen record temperatures. The atmosphere holds more heat. This heat is transformed into energy for extreme weather phenomena such as rain, storms, floods, droughts, cold snaps, and heatwaves.”
In desert regions, dust storms can rise up to thousands of meters from the ground, spanning hundreds of kilometers and lasting for several hours. Agricultural areas lacking vegetation cover are also vulnerable to dust storms if drought persists.
Brazil is facing its worst drought in 91 years, causing water levels in reservoirs in the central-west and southern parts of the country to drop to critically low levels, increasing electricity costs.
