A powerful sandstorm has swept through central and southern Iraq, leaving over a thousand people struggling with respiratory issues, according to health authorities.
In Muthanna province alone, officials reported at least 700 cases of suffocation, as confirmed to AFP. Online videos captured the storm’s impact, showing thick orange dust engulfing cities, while local outlets reported flight suspensions and widespread power outages.
Although dust storms are a familiar occurrence in Iraq, experts warn that climate change may be making them more frequent and intense.
Across the affected regions, pedestrians and police were seen wearing face masks to shield themselves from the dust, while paramedics provided aid to those having trouble breathing.
Hospitals in Muthanna province admitted hundreds of patients, while Najaf province reported over 250 cases. In Diwaniyah, at least 322 people, including children, were treated. Additionally, 530 more cases were recorded in Dhi Qar and Basra.
The sandstorm turned skies a deep orange and drastically reduced visibility—down to less than one kilometer (0.62 miles). In response, airports in Najaf and Basra were temporarily closed.
Weather experts anticipate conditions will gradually improve by Tuesday morning.
The United Nations lists Iraq among the five countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing rising challenges from extreme heat, water shortages, and frequent sandstorms.
A similar storm in 2022 claimed one life and led to over 5,000 respiratory-related hospital visits. Iraq’s environment ministry has warned that the country should prepare for an increase in “dust days” in the coming years.
