More than 1,000 people have been treated for respiratory problems after a sandstorm blanketed central and southern Iraq, according to health authorities.
At least 700 cases of suffocation were recorded in Muthanna province alone, an official told AFP, as the country grappled with power cuts, grounded flights, and reduced visibility brought on by thick orange haze.
Footage circulating on social media showed skies turning orange and streets deserted as visibility dropped to under one kilometre (0.62 miles). Pedestrians and police officers donned face masks, while paramedics treated those struggling to breathe on the streets.
Hospitals in Najaf province treated over 250 patients, while 322 people, including children, sought medical assistance in Diwaniyah. In Dhi Qar and Basra, a combined total of 530 people were affected.
The storm also disrupted travel, forcing the closure of airports in Najaf and Basra, local media reported. Weather officials say conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday morning.
Dust storms are a frequent hazard in Iraq, but scientists warn they are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
The UN ranks Iraq among the five countries most vulnerable to climate impacts, including rising temperatures, desertification, and worsening water scarcity. A similar sandstorm in 2022 left one person dead and over 5,000 needing treatment for breathing difficulties.
Iraq’s environment ministry has warned that the country could see an increase in “dust days” in the coming years.
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