A powerful sandstorm that swept across Iraq’s central and southern regions has left over 1,000 people suffering from severe respiratory issues, local health officials have confirmed. The storm, which struck during the weekend, resulted in a thick orange haze blanketing the affected areas, reducing visibility to less than a kilometre (0.62 miles).
In Muthanna province, one official reported at least 700 cases of suffocation, while other provinces have also seen a significant number of hospitalisations. More than 250 individuals were treated in hospitals across Najaf province, and 322 patients, including children, were admitted in Diwaniyah province. Dhi Qar and Basra provinces reported an additional 530 cases of breathing problems.
According to local media, the storm caused widespread disruption, including power outages and the suspension of flights in several regions. Emergency teams, including paramedics, were deployed across the affected areas to assist those struggling to breathe. Health services have been stretched, with hospitals in the hardest-hit provinces working at full capacity to treat the growing number of patients.
Footage shared online showed pedestrians, police officers, and drivers navigating the streets while wearing face masks to protect themselves from the dense dust cloud. Some cars were seen driving through the storm with red headlights, while police officers wearing white shirts guided traffic.
Environmental Impact of Sandstorms
While sandstorms are a regular occurrence in Iraq, experts are increasingly concerned that their frequency is on the rise, with climate change being a contributing factor. Iraq’s Environment Ministry has warned that the country is likely to experience more “dust days” in the future. The UN has ranked Iraq as one of the five countries most vulnerable to climate change, a reality that is exacerbated by extreme weather conditions such as intense heat, water scarcity, and frequent sandstorms.
Iraq’s health system has struggled to cope with the consequences of such extreme weather events. A particularly severe sandstorm in 2022 resulted in one fatality and over 5,000 people requiring treatment for respiratory illnesses.
The recent sandstorm significantly affected visibility, with reports indicating that the orange haze was so thick it was difficult to see clearly. The authorities were forced to close airports in Najaf and Basra provinces due to poor visibility, and flights were temporarily suspended until conditions improved.
Looking Ahead: Climate Change and the Future
Iraq’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, such as sandstorms, is expected to continue growing as climate change accelerates. Experts predict that the country will experience even more intense dust storms in the coming years. As the environmental impact worsens, efforts to address climate change and mitigate the consequences of dust storms will become increasingly critical.
Summary and Impact on Daily Life
In the wake of this latest sandstorm, many Iraqis face ongoing respiratory challenges, and health experts warn that such events will likely become more frequent. The rising frequency of sandstorms serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive climate action to address the growing environmental and health threats in Iraq and across the Middle East.
The dust storm’s immediate aftermath has already left its mark on Iraq’s health system, causing considerable strain as hospitals battle to keep up with the number of patients. As authorities brace for more dust days in the future, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address both the environmental and public health impacts of these extreme weather events.