How to Survive a Sandstorm by Shabanu

We just had a really large sandstorm cross our camp. The winds were blowing hard and whipping our skin. Even in the safety of our mud hut, dust still got in and made our throats as dry as the desert sand. I am so happy that we had shelter but this is what you should do in case you are outside in a sandstorm.

Step 1: 

Put a chadr or turban over your face so that you are protected and the sand doesn’t go into your eyes, nostrils, or mouth. (If you are outside, make sure to have a lantern so that you can see your way through the storm) “With my chadr over my face, I can open my eyes enough to see the haze of the lantern in Dadi’s hand, the light reflecting from the dust in a tight circle around him.” page 111

Step 2:

Try to find shelter. If you see a small rock or an abandoned jeep try to hide behind it to make sure no flying objects hit you while the storm passes. If there are no possible shelters around, crouch down in a little ball to minimize the chances of getting hit by a flying object.

Step 3:

Get to high ground. The sand always goes into the dunes and low to the ground, so the storm will be less forceful at the top of a hill. Look for high ground if you can find a safe, solid, high point, but only if the storm doesn’t have lightning and there is no danger of being hit by really heavy, flying piece of debris. If you have a camel, have it sit down and press yourself against its side so you are safer from flying objects. 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 the sand.

Step 4:

Wait out the storm

This is Shabanu. She is the daughter of Dalil Abassi and she has a mother as well. She has a thirteen-year-old sister and she is married to Murad as she has come to age. She is also a nomad so she lives in different parts of Pakistan before she is married. She has an aunt and two little cousins. She also has a dog named Sher Dil and a camel named Mithoo. She takes care of all the camels and goes to the Sibi fair with her father to sell them.