63 dust storms in a year: how climate change is accelerating glacier loss in Tajikistan
Tajikistan recorded a sharp rise in sand and dust storms in 2025, with experts warning that the growing frequency of these events is accelerating glacier melt and threatening water security across Central Asia.
According to the Committee for Environmental Protection, the country experienced 63 dust storms and 216 dusty days last year — a significant increase from previous years, when annual dust storms rarely exceeded 35 events.
The trend comes as Tajikistan continues to lose glaciers at an alarming rate. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that more than 1,000 of the country’s approximately 14,000 glaciers have already disappeared.
Scientists warn that dust carried by strong winds from desert regions settles on glacier surfaces, darkening the ice and reducing its ability to reflect sunlight. As a result, glaciers absorb more heat and melt faster.
Dust reaches the highest peaks
Researchers say dust storms transport fine particles over vast distances, reaching glaciers in the Pamir Mountains at elevations of 5,000–6,000 meters above sea level.
According to Abdulhomid Qayumov, director of Tajikistan’s Center for Glacier Research, studies indicate that pollutants carried by dust storms are reaching even the remote glaciers of Eastern Pamir.
«The scientific community has only recently begun paying close attention to the impact of dust storms on glaciers,» Qayumov said. «Unlike industrial emissions, dust storms can transport pollutants across enormous distances, affecting glaciers far from their original source.»
Scientists are currently analyzing glacier samples for heavy metals and isotopes to better understand the origin and impact of these pollutants.
Sabour Abdullozoda, head of the Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics at the Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, said dust reaching the country’s glaciers may originate from several desert regions, including the Sahara.
«Glaciers function like a vacuum cleaner, accumulating particles from the atmosphere,» he explained. «When dust and salt particles settle on the ice, melting accelerates.»
Growing environmental and economic risks
Experts warn that glacier retreat threatens not only the environment but also regional economies.
Tajikistan’s glaciers feed major rivers, including the Amu Darya, Syr Darya, and Zarafshan, which provide water for millions of people across Central Asia. Reduced glacier volume could lead to water shortages, lower agricultural productivity, increased food insecurity, and challenges for hydropower generation.
According to UNEP, Tajikistan recorded 1,826 natural disasters between 2020 and 2023, causing more than 100 deaths and economic losses exceeding 30 $ million.
The World Bank estimates that natural disasters linked to climate change and glacier loss could cost Central Asian countries between 0,4% and 1,3% of their annual GDP.
Can glacier loss be slowed?
Scientists say completely stopping glacier melt is impossible without significant global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. However, mitigation measures can slow the process and reduce its impact.
Recommended actions include strengthening environmental legislation, restoring forests, reducing industrial emissions, expanding renewable energy, improving waste management, and increasing public awareness of climate issues.
Internationally, governments are encouraged to improve glacier monitoring systems, strengthen scientific cooperation, and enhance early warning mechanisms for climate-related disasters.
Tajikistan’s response
Tajikistan has adopted a National Action Plan for the Prevention and Mitigation of the Consequences of Sand and Dust Storms for 2022–2030 and continues to promote glacier protection on the international stage.
The country’s initiative to designate 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation led to the International High-Level Conference on Glacier Preservation held in Dushanbe in May 2025, where participants adopted the Dushanbe Declaration on Glaciers.
The declaration calls for expanded glacier monitoring, stronger scientific cooperation, improved early warning systems, and greater efforts to adapt to the consequences of glacier loss.
International support
International organizations are also increasing support for glacier protection.
In October 2025, the Green Climate Fund approved the regional «Glaciers to Farms» program, developed with the Asian Development Bank. The initiative covers nine countries in Central and Western Asia, including Tajikistan, and aims to strengthen climate resilience, improve water management, support sustainable agriculture, and protect communities that depend on glacier-fed rivers.
For Tajikistan, where glaciers serve as the primary source of freshwater, the program is expected to play a key role in safeguarding water resources, energy production, and livelihoods in the decades ahead.
Experts warn that without decisive action, thousands more small glaciers in Tajikistan could disappear by 2050, while rising temperatures in the Pamirs may significantly reduce water flows in major river basins across the region.
According to the Committee for Environmental Protection, the country experienced 63 dust storms and 216 dusty days last year — a significant increase from previous years, when annual dust storms rarely exceeded 35 events.
The trend comes as Tajikistan continues to lose glaciers at an alarming rate. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that more than 1,000 of the country’s approximately 14,000 glaciers have already disappeared.
Scientists warn that dust carried by strong winds from desert regions settles on glacier surfaces, darkening the ice and reducing its ability to reflect sunlight. As a result, glaciers absorb more heat and melt faster.
Dust reaches the highest peaks
Researchers say dust storms transport fine particles over vast distances, reaching glaciers in the Pamir Mountains at elevations of 5,000–6,000 meters above sea level.
According to Abdulhomid Qayumov, director of Tajikistan’s Center for Glacier Research, studies indicate that pollutants carried by dust storms are reaching even the remote glaciers of Eastern Pamir.
«The scientific community has only recently begun paying close attention to the impact of dust storms on glaciers,» Qayumov said. «Unlike industrial emissions, dust storms can transport pollutants across enormous distances, affecting glaciers far from their original source.»
Scientists are currently analyzing glacier samples for heavy metals and isotopes to better understand the origin and impact of these pollutants.
Sabour Abdullozoda, head of the Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics at the Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, said dust reaching the country’s glaciers may originate from several desert regions, including the Sahara.
«Glaciers function like a vacuum cleaner, accumulating particles from the atmosphere,» he explained. «When dust and salt particles settle on the ice, melting accelerates.»
Growing environmental and economic risks
Experts warn that glacier retreat threatens not only the environment but also regional economies.
Tajikistan’s glaciers feed major rivers, including the Amu Darya, Syr Darya, and Zarafshan, which provide water for millions of people across Central Asia. Reduced glacier volume could lead to water shortages, lower agricultural productivity, increased food insecurity, and challenges for hydropower generation.
According to UNEP, Tajikistan recorded 1,826 natural disasters between 2020 and 2023, causing more than 100 deaths and economic losses exceeding 30 $ million.
The World Bank estimates that natural disasters linked to climate change and glacier loss could cost Central Asian countries between 0,4% and 1,3% of their annual GDP.
Can glacier loss be slowed?
Scientists say completely stopping glacier melt is impossible without significant global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. However, mitigation measures can slow the process and reduce its impact.
Recommended actions include strengthening environmental legislation, restoring forests, reducing industrial emissions, expanding renewable energy, improving waste management, and increasing public awareness of climate issues.
Internationally, governments are encouraged to improve glacier monitoring systems, strengthen scientific cooperation, and enhance early warning mechanisms for climate-related disasters.
Tajikistan’s response
Tajikistan has adopted a National Action Plan for the Prevention and Mitigation of the Consequences of Sand and Dust Storms for 2022–2030 and continues to promote glacier protection on the international stage.
The country’s initiative to designate 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation led to the International High-Level Conference on Glacier Preservation held in Dushanbe in May 2025, where participants adopted the Dushanbe Declaration on Glaciers.
The declaration calls for expanded glacier monitoring, stronger scientific cooperation, improved early warning systems, and greater efforts to adapt to the consequences of glacier loss.
International support
International organizations are also increasing support for glacier protection.
In October 2025, the Green Climate Fund approved the regional «Glaciers to Farms» program, developed with the Asian Development Bank. The initiative covers nine countries in Central and Western Asia, including Tajikistan, and aims to strengthen climate resilience, improve water management, support sustainable agriculture, and protect communities that depend on glacier-fed rivers.
For Tajikistan, where glaciers serve as the primary source of freshwater, the program is expected to play a key role in safeguarding water resources, energy production, and livelihoods in the decades ahead.
Experts warn that without decisive action, thousands more small glaciers in Tajikistan could disappear by 2050, while rising temperatures in the Pamirs may significantly reduce water flows in major river basins across the region.
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