Fifth sandstorm in a month brings visibility issues, respiratory problems, and flight suspensions.

A thick sandstorm has engulfed Iraq, sending hundreds to hospitals with breathing difficulties and causing significant disruptions at Baghdad airport. This marks the fifth sandstorm in Iraq within a month. The storm, which resulted in an ochre-colored sky and a blanket of dust over the country, significantly reduced visibility, with drivers keeping headlights on to navigate. Clinics in the northern and western regions of Iraq have been overwhelmed with patients, mostly suffering from respiratory problems. As a precaution, authorities have urged citizens to remain indoors. Flight operations were temporarily halted but resumed by the afternoon once the dust began to settle. Experts attribute the rising frequency of these sandstorms to factors such as climate change, desertification, and a lack of rainfall.