Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Intense Sandstorm Grips Iraq, Causing Respiratory Distress and Travel Disruption
A powerful sandstorm has engulfed central and southern Iraq for the past two days, casting an eerie orange hue across the sky. The dust storm has drastically reduced visibility to under half a mile in some areas, leading to thousands seeking emergency medical care for respiratory problems.
Transportation Paralyzed as Visibility Plummets
Flight operations at two Iraqi airports were temporarily halted due to the dangerously low visibility. In Basra, the nation’s largest southern city, normally bustling highways were deserted as strong winds whipped through palm groves and overhead power lines, further highlighting the storm’s severity.
Storm’s Origin and Progression
Amir al-Jabri, spokesperson for Iraq’s meteorological department, explained that the “dense dust clouds” originated in the deserts of eastern Saudi Arabia. These clouds intensified as they moved across similarly arid regions of southwestern Iraq, accumulating more particulate matter along the way.
Climate Change Linked to Increased Storm Frequency
While sandstorms are not uncommon in Iraq during winter and early spring, climate experts warn of a disturbing trend. These weather events are becoming more frequent and intense as Iraq, along with neighboring Syria, endures prolonged and increasingly severe droughts. This escalating desertification is consuming previously fertile lands, exacerbating the problem.
2025’s Most Severe Dust Storm
This recent event marks the most significant sandstorm to strike Iraq in 2025. However, it follows closely on the heels of a similarly disruptive storm that paralyzed Baghdad in December, and several other major sandstorms experienced in 2022, indicating a worrying pattern.
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Iraq’s Climate Vulnerability
The United Nations identifies Iraq as the fifth most vulnerable country globally to certain consequences of climate change, including extreme temperatures and dwindling water resources, making events like these even more impactful.
Immediate Impacts and Public Response
Although the storm’s intensity subsided on Tuesday, bringing slightly cooler temperatures, southern Iraq had been experiencing daily highs exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit prior to the sun being obscured by the dust, which had offered a temporary reprieve from the heat.
Protective Measures and Health Crisis
During the peak of the sandstorm, many residents, particularly outdoor workers such as police and emergency responders, resorted to wearing face masks for protection. Others improvised by wrapping cloths around their mouths and noses in an attempt to filter the pervasive dust.
Dust Infiltration and Daily Life Disruption
The sheer volume of sand and dust was so immense that it infiltrated almost every home and vehicle. Penetrating even the smallest openings, it coated all surfaces, making computer work challenging and forcing most residents to remain indoors, except for essential emergency personnel.
Respiratory Illnesses Surge
Saif al-Badr, Iraq’s health ministry spokesman, reported that emergency departments across southern Iraq had treated 3,747 individuals suffering from respiratory ailments directly linked to the sandstorm. Basra alone accounted for over 1,000 of these cases, experiencing particularly harsh conditions on Monday. Najaf, a considerably smaller city, recorded 451 cases.
Muthanna Province Heavily Affected
Muthanna Province, sharing a long border with Saudi Arabia, was also severely impacted, according to al-Badr. He added that the majority of those treated for respiratory distress have since been discharged.
Police Issue Public Safety Guidance
The Basra police department issued a series of safety instructions for residents. Notably, they advised families that “since the storm is accompanied by frightening sounds for young children, parents should explain what is happening so that their child can sleep soundly,” highlighting the storm’s widespread impact on daily life and public well-being.