More than a thousand people in Iraq experienced respiratory problems due to a sandstorm. Airports in two regions were closed as visibility dropped to below 1 kilometer. The sandstorm affecting the central and southern regions of Iraq has resulted in over a thousand people experiencing respiratory issues. A health official in Mutenna city stated that at least a thousand cases of “suffocation” were reported. Footage from Iraq showed a dense orange haze affecting the city. Local media reported power outages in some areas due to the sandstorm and flight delays in others. While sandstorms are a common occurrence in Iraq, it is believed that this recent weather event has intensified due to climate change. During the latest sandstorm, pedestrians and police officers in Iraqi streets were seen wearing masks to protect themselves from airborne sand and particles. Health teams were on duty to assist those struggling to breathe. According to a local health official in Mutenna, records show at least “700 suffocation cases,” while over 250 people were hospitalized in Necef. In Divaniyah, at least 322 individuals, including children, sought medical assistance. In Dikar and Basra, 530 people reported difficulty breathing. The sandstorm and the accompanying “orange cloud” caused visibility to drop below 1 kilometer in the southern regions of the country. Authorities had to close airports in Necef and Basra as a result. Local weather services expect conditions to improve this morning.