Cyprus Weather - It’s Dusty Out There on World Water Day

On World Water Day, the sky seems overcast as if there’s bad weather on the way, but it is actually clouds of dust.

How is water connected to dust? Global warming is responsible for much of the world’s desertification. By 2025, half of the global population will be living in water-stressed areas, according to the United Nations.

Global warming

There has been a sharp increase in the number of dust episodes in Cyprus, which now occur frequently throughout the year.

This is thought to be linked to growing desertification in the Middle East because of global warming. Every year, some 12 million hectares of land is lost to desertification and 70 to 90 percent of the Arabian Peninsula is under threat.

If global warming is not brought under control, up to 143 million people would have to move within their countries to escape water shortages and food shortages, said the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Other than global warming, the causes of desertification include over-cultivation of land, over-grazing, deforestation and bad irrigation.

Cyprus is also just around the corner from the Sahara Desert.

On the upside, the island’s fertile soil is thought to be connected to the cycle of dust and rain which lands on the ground.

Stay safe from dust inhalation

The Labour Department warns that the elderly and people with asthma and other respiratory problems should stay indoors.

The Labour Department sends warnings when the dust level is over 50mg/m3. Employers should make sure that employees who work outside should have protective gear like masks to protect the lungs.

Common symptoms are:

• Itchy, burning eyes
• Throat irritation
• Skin irritation
• Breathing difficulties
• Asthma attacks
• Coughing or sneezing
• Slight fever

The dust is most heavy in Paphos and least heavy in Nicosia.

Dust levels

Nicosia: 30 mg / m3

Limassol: 60 mg/ m3

Larnaca: 42 mg / m3

Paphos: 134 mg / m3

Lakeside: 28 mg / m3

Weight: 24 mg / m3

Agia Marina Xyliatou: 160 mg / m3

Medical impact of dust clouds

In 2008, a 10-year survey of hospitalisations due to reactions to dust in Cyprus was carried out by Nicos Middleton, Panayiotis Yiallouros et al.

They found that there was an increase in hospitalisations for cardiovascular causes in Nicosia during dust episodes. Admissions nearly doubled during the course of 10 years.

Learn more about how climate change works.