A powerful sandstorm, the strongest in decades, swept through the Burning Man festival in the United States, El.kz reports.

On the opening day of the event in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, wind gusts reached up to 80 km/h. The storm damaged structures, while some participants got injuries.

For many, the storm proved to be a real challenge: tents and temporary structures could not withstand the force of nature. However, a Kazakh yurt set up by one of the camps turned out to be a reliable shelter. Participants noted that it was the safest place to be during the storm.

The yurt withstood the force of the storm, while many modern structures collapsed under the pressure of the wind.

Organizers warn that rain and storms are expected on the festival grounds. Despite the extreme conditions, thousands of participants remain in the camp, staying true to the spirit of Burning Man.

The festival will run till September 1, and eyewitnesses note that the atmosphere of unity and resilience is only growing stronger under the forces of nature.