Iraq Was Hit By A Huge Sandstorm, Engulfing It In A Haze And Leaving Thousands Struggling To Breathe

Drastic sandstorms have swept across Iraq since mid-April, leaving thousands of people struggling with breathing problems. 

On April 14, a major sandstorm hit southern Iraq, affecting provinces including Muthanna, Najaf, Basra and Diwaniyah.

Cities were blanketed by heavy dust that turned the sky into a dire orange haze.

Visibility dropped below one kilometer (0.62 miles), and local authorities swiftly shut down at least two airports due to dangerous conditions. 

Another sandstorm report followed up on the crisis in central Iraq on April 29. 

More than 3,700 people have reported respiratory distress due to inhaling dust, with Basra, the hardest hit city by the storm, reporting more than 1,000 cases alone. 

The dust originated from arid regions in eastern Saudi Arabia and southwestern Iraq, according to Iraq’s meteorology department.

Iraq is ranked by the UN as one of the five countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Despite sandstorms being regular in Iraq, they are becoming more frequent due to desertification engulfing more land in Iraq. 

The Environment Ministry blamed climate change and predicted even more frequent “dust days” in the coming decades.

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