Sandstorm Sweeps Across Iraq, Forcing Airport Closures and Hospitalizing 3,700 People

A powerful sandstorm swept through central and southern Iraq this week, shrouding cities in a dense orange haze and causing widespread disruption to daily life.

AFP/Ahmad Al-Rubay

The storm, described by meteorologists as the most severe of the year so far, drastically reduced visibility to less than one kilometer in many areas, prompting authorities to suspend operations at Basra and Najaf airports until conditions improved.

The choking dust sent more than 3,700 people to hospitals with respiratory distress, according to Iraq’s health ministry. Basra province was particularly hard hit, accounting for over 1,000 of the hospital admissions.

In Baghdad and other provinces, hundreds more sought treatment for breathing difficulties, though most patients were discharged after receiving care. Health officials reported no fatalities and confirmed that adequate medical supplies and oxygen were available to manage the influx of cases.

As the storm swept through, streets in major cities like Basra were left nearly deserted, with those who ventured outside donning face masks to shield themselves from the airborne particles. Wheelchair-bound residents and children were among those assisted by emergency responders as traffic slowed to a crawl amid the swirling dust.

Sandstorms are a familiar hazard in Iraq, especially during the winter and early spring months. However, climate experts warn that these events are becoming more frequent and severe due to prolonged drought, desertification, and the broader impacts of climate change.

The United Nations has classified Iraq as one of the five countries most vulnerable to climate change, citing increasing temperatures, declining water resources, and a rise in extreme weather events as ongoing threats.

This latest sandstorm follows a series of similar incidents in recent years, including a deadly storm in 2022 that resulted in one fatality and sent more than 5,000 people to hospitals.

Iraqi authorities and environmental officials caution that without significant intervention, the country can expect a growing number of “dust days” in the decades ahead, further straining public health and infrastructure