Ekeomah Atuonwu
Another sandstorm in Iraq’s climate-stressed region has sent at least 4,000 people to the hospital with breathing problems and forced the closure of airports, schools, and government offices across the country.
A dense cloud of dust engulfed Baghdad and blanketed many other cities, including the Shia shrine city of Najaf to the south and Sulaymaniyah in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
Yellow and orange sand engulfed building roofs, cars, and even homes. Authorities in seven of Iraq’s 18 provinces, including Baghdad, ordered the closure of government offices.
However, health care facilities remained open to assist those most vulnerable, such as the elderly and those suffering from chronic respiratory diseases and heart problems.
According to health ministry spokesperson Seif al Badr, at least 4,000 people were admitted to hospitals for treatment of respiratory problems, and all cases “received the necessary medical care.”
It is the eighth dust storm to hit Iraq since mid-April, which has been battered by soil degradation, severe droughts, and low rainfall caused by climate change.
The most recent one, earlier this month, resulted in the death of one person and the hospitalization of over 5,000 others due to respiratory problems.
SCHOOLS CLOSED, FLIGHTS AFFECTED
The sandstorm reduced visibility at Baghdad airport to 300 meters, prompting authorities to close airspace and halt flights, according to the state-run INA news agency.
Najaf and Sulaymaniyah airports were also closed for the day.
Schools across the country were also closed, and end-of-year exams were rescheduled for Tuesday. Exams were also postponed at universities.
According to Talib Abdelmoneim Nejm, one of the ICU officials, at least 75 people with breathing problems were admitted to Baghdad’s Sheikh Zayed Hospital.
The Middle East has always been battered by sandstorms, but they have become more frequent and intense. The trend has been associated with overuse of river water, more dams, overgrazing and deforestation.
Iraq is rich in oil and is known in Arabic as the land of the two rivers — in reference to the legendary Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
But the supply of water has been declining for years and Iraq is classified as one of the world’s five countries most vulnerable to climate change and desertification.
