Over the past two days, a harsh sandstorm has swept across central and southern Iraq, turning the sky orange, significantly reducing visibility, and leading to thousands visiting emergency rooms with respiratory issues. Airports in the region were forced to suspend flights as winds surged and roads in the typically bustling city of Basra were nearly deserted. According to Amir al-Jabri, a spokesman for Iraq's meteorology department, the storm originated from eastern Saudi Arabia and was exacerbated by dry conditions in southwestern Iraq.
Severe Sandstorm Strikes Iraq, Leaving Thousands With Respiratory Issues
Severe Sandstorm Strikes Iraq, Leaving Thousands With Respiratory Issues
A recent sandstorm in Iraq has prompted health emergencies and grounded flights due to poor visibility. Experts highlight the connection between climate change and increased storm frequency.
While sandstorms are a seasonal occurrence, experts assert they are becoming more intense and frequent, largely as a result of longer drought periods and ongoing desertification affecting Iraq and surrounding countries like Syria. The recent storm is noted as the most severe of 2025, following other notable storms in Baghdad in December and various instances throughout 2022. Iraq ranks as the fifth most vulnerable nation to the impacts of climate change, facing extreme heat and dwindling water resources.
Although conditions began to improve with lower temperatures following the storm, southern Iraq had recently sweltered under temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. People took precautions by wearing masks while outdoors, particularly emergency personnel. Reports indicate that hospitals in the affected areas witnessed 3,747 cases of breathing difficulties, with over 1,000 incidents in Basra alone. Additional regions, like Muthanna Province, also faced similar respiratory challenges. Public authorities issued advice for families, emphasizing the importance of reassuring children during the storm to aid their sleep.
Although conditions began to improve with lower temperatures following the storm, southern Iraq had recently sweltered under temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. People took precautions by wearing masks while outdoors, particularly emergency personnel. Reports indicate that hospitals in the affected areas witnessed 3,747 cases of breathing difficulties, with over 1,000 incidents in Basra alone. Additional regions, like Muthanna Province, also faced similar respiratory challenges. Public authorities issued advice for families, emphasizing the importance of reassuring children during the storm to aid their sleep.
