A severe sandstorm has impacted central and southern Iraq, with visibility dropping to under half a mile and thousands seeking emergency care for respiratory issues. Airports halted operations in response, and the usually busy highways were deserted. The storm originated from eastern Saudi Arabia, worsened by ongoing desertification and drought in the region. Experts warn of the growing intensity of these storms, with Iraq being highlighted as particularly vulnerable to climate-related challenges. Although conditions improved slightly, high temperatures above 100 degrees persisted prior to the storm, further exacerbating the health risks for residents.
A severe sandstorm has swept across central and southern Iraq over the last two days, turning the sky a strange orange, reducing visibility in some places to less than a half mile.
Although sandstorms have long been a feature of Iraq's winter and early spring, climate experts say the storms are becoming more frequent and severe as the country and neighboring Syria experience longer and more frequent droughts.
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