A significant sandstorm has swept through central and southern Iraq, resulting in over 1,800 individuals suffering from respiratory problems, according to health officials. The storm, characterized by a thick orange haze, has disrupted daily life, leading to power outages and the suspension of flights across several regions.
Health impacts and emergency response
In Muthanna province, health authorities reported approximately 700 incidents of suffocation, with hospitals overwhelmed by patients seeking treatment for breathing difficulties. Emergency medical personnel were deployed to assist affected individuals, as many pedestrians and police donned face masks to cope with the hazardous air quality. In addition to the cases in Muthanna, more than 250 people were treated in Najaf province, while Diwaniyah province reported at least 322 patients, including children, requiring hospitalization. The provinces of Dhi Qar and Basra also experienced significant numbers of individuals reporting respiratory issues, bringing the total to over 1,800 affected by the storm.
Future implications and environmental concerns
The sandstorm created conditions that reduced visibility to less than one kilometre (0.62 miles), prompting authorities to close airports in Najaf and Basra. Local weather services predict a gradual improvement in conditions by Tuesday morning. Experts warn that Iraq’s vulnerability to such extreme weather events is likely to increase. The country is already recognized by the United Nations as one of the five nations most at risk from climate change, grappling with recurrent sandstorms, extreme heat, and water shortages. The Iraqi environment ministry has indicated that citizens should prepare for more frequent “dust days” in the future, raising concerns about public health and environmental sustainability.
“Dust storms are common in Iraq, but some experts believe they are becoming more frequent due to climate change.”
This troubling trend was underscored by a severe sandstorm in 2022, which resulted in one fatality and impacted over 5,000 individuals who required medical attention for respiratory conditions. As the frequency and intensity of such dust storms rise, the health infrastructure and emergency services in Iraq will face increasing challenges to manage the fallout.