A significant sandstorm sweeping through Iraq has resulted in over a thousand individuals suffering from respiratory ailments, raising concerns over public health and safety.
Iraq Faces Respiratory Crisis Amidst Severe Sandstorm
Iraq Faces Respiratory Crisis Amidst Severe Sandstorm
Recent sandstorm in Iraq leads to a surge in respiratory issues and disrupted daily life.
A fierce sandstorm enveloped Iraq's central and southern regions, triggering health emergencies as more than a thousand residents encountered breathing difficulties. Health officials reported that hospitals in the Muthanna province alone treated around 700 cases categorized as suffocation, prompting urgent responses from paramedics. The storm created a thick, orange haze, causing visibility to plummet below one kilometer (0.62 miles), and led to power outages and flight cancellations across affected areas.
Local authorities observed pedestrians and police donning face masks to guard against the dust, with numerous individuals requiring hospital care. Specifically, reports indicated over 250 hospitalizations in Najaf province, and significant cases were also documented in Diwaniyah, Dhi Qar, and Basra provinces.
Dust storms are not an uncommon phenomenon in Iraq; however, environmental experts warn that the frequency and intensity of these storms are likely increasing due to climate change. The country's environment ministry has noted that Iraq is among the most vulnerable nations to climate impacts, calling for heightened awareness of future "dust days."
As health authorities manage the ongoing crisis, forecasts indicate gradual improvement in conditions by Tuesday morning. Yet, the looming threat of severe weather continues to challenge the Iraqi population, following previous dust storms that have caused fatalities and widespread respiratory health issues.
