Authorities report numerous hospitalizations while experts warn of increasing frequency of such events due to climate change.
Iraq Faces Health Crisis as Sandstorm Sparks Respiratory Illnesses
Iraq Faces Health Crisis as Sandstorm Sparks Respiratory Illnesses
A massive sandstorm blankets southern Iraq, leaving over a thousand affected by respiratory issues.
More than a thousand individuals in Iraq are grappling with respiratory issues as a severe sandstorm engulfs the central and southern regions, prompting health officials to report alarming numbers of suffocation cases. In Muthanna province alone, local officials stated that at least 700 individuals required medical attention for suffocation symptoms, with hospitals across various provinces receiving a substantial influx of patients.
Footage circulating on social media highlights the surreal orange haze that blanketed the affected regions, leading to significant disruption. Power outages and canceled flights were reported as a thick curtain of dust reduced visibility to less than one kilometer. The environment ministry had already indicated the likelihood of more "dust days" ahead, a concern amplified by experts linking the increasing frequency of dust storms to climate change.
Protective measures were evident as both pedestrians and law enforcement donned face masks, while paramedics were dispatched to assist those experiencing difficulty breathing. Hospitals in Najaf province reported over 250 patients admitted for respiratory issues, alongside a staggering 322 in Diwaniyah and 530 others from Dhi Qar and Basra provinces.
According to local meteorological services, conditions are predicted to gradually improve by Tuesday morning. However, the persistent nature of such dust storms places Iraq among the top five countries identified by the United Nations as highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, characterized by extreme weather patterns, severe heat, and diminishing water resources. This incident underscores a pattern seen last year when a similar storm resulted in one fatality and left over 5,000 needing medical intervention for respiratory ailments.
Footage circulating on social media highlights the surreal orange haze that blanketed the affected regions, leading to significant disruption. Power outages and canceled flights were reported as a thick curtain of dust reduced visibility to less than one kilometer. The environment ministry had already indicated the likelihood of more "dust days" ahead, a concern amplified by experts linking the increasing frequency of dust storms to climate change.
Protective measures were evident as both pedestrians and law enforcement donned face masks, while paramedics were dispatched to assist those experiencing difficulty breathing. Hospitals in Najaf province reported over 250 patients admitted for respiratory issues, alongside a staggering 322 in Diwaniyah and 530 others from Dhi Qar and Basra provinces.
According to local meteorological services, conditions are predicted to gradually improve by Tuesday morning. However, the persistent nature of such dust storms places Iraq among the top five countries identified by the United Nations as highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, characterized by extreme weather patterns, severe heat, and diminishing water resources. This incident underscores a pattern seen last year when a similar storm resulted in one fatality and left over 5,000 needing medical intervention for respiratory ailments.
