• A man smokes a cigarette during a sandstorm in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters
    A man smokes a cigarette during a sandstorm in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters
  • The sand or dust storm is the latest in a series of what Iraqis say is an unprecedented number to hit the country in recent weeks. Reuters
    The sand or dust storm is the latest in a series of what Iraqis say is an unprecedented number to hit the country in recent weeks. Reuters
  • Only a week ago, a similar sandstorm grounded planes at Baghdad International Airport and many schools and offices were forced to close. Reuters
    Only a week ago, a similar sandstorm grounded planes at Baghdad International Airport and many schools and offices were forced to close. Reuters
  • Hundreds of people across Baghdad and in southern cities went to hospital with breathing difficulties. AP
    Hundreds of people across Baghdad and in southern cities went to hospital with breathing difficulties. AP
  • At least one sandstorm a week has hit Iraq since last month. AP
    At least one sandstorm a week has hit Iraq since last month. AP
  • The enveloping orange haze of sand and dust tends to reduce visibility to a few hundred metres. AP
    The enveloping orange haze of sand and dust tends to reduce visibility to a few hundred metres. AP
  • Climate change is causing the sandstorms, many in Iraq believe. AP
    Climate change is causing the sandstorms, many in Iraq believe. AP
  • The country has been hit by soil degradation, intense drought and low rainfall linked to climate change. Reuters
    The country has been hit by soil degradation, intense drought and low rainfall linked to climate change. Reuters
  • The proliferation of sandstorms has also been associated with overuse of river water, excessive building of dams, overgrazing and deforestation. EPA
    The proliferation of sandstorms has also been associated with overuse of river water, excessive building of dams, overgrazing and deforestation. EPA
  • An Environment Ministry official said Iraq could face '272 days of dust' a year over the next two decades. EPA
    An Environment Ministry official said Iraq could face '272 days of dust' a year over the next two decades. EPA
  • The supply of water has been declining for years, and Iraq is classified by the UN as one of the world's five countries most vulnerable to climate change and desertification. EPA
    The supply of water has been declining for years, and Iraq is classified by the UN as one of the world's five countries most vulnerable to climate change and desertification. EPA
  • Cars drive along a street at Kahraman Square shrouded in heavy dust in central Baghdad, but the going is slow. EPA
    Cars drive along a street at Kahraman Square shrouded in heavy dust in central Baghdad, but the going is slow. EPA
  • A heavy dust storm in Nasiriyah, southern Iraq. AFP
    A heavy dust storm in Nasiriyah, southern Iraq. AFP
  • Cycling along a pedestrian bridge amid a Nasiriyah dust storm. AFP
    Cycling along a pedestrian bridge amid a Nasiriyah dust storm. AFP
  • Bedouin shepherds during a sandstorm sweeping Iraq. AFP
    Bedouin shepherds during a sandstorm sweeping Iraq. AFP
  • A traffic policeman directs the flow of cars as dust limits visibility in Nasiriyah. AFP
    A traffic policeman directs the flow of cars as dust limits visibility in Nasiriyah. AFP
  • Sheep herded by Bedouin shepherds near Najaf are almost hidden by a sandstorm. AFP
    Sheep herded by Bedouin shepherds near Najaf are almost hidden by a sandstorm. AFP
  • A dusty walk in Baghdad. Reuters
    A dusty walk in Baghdad. Reuters
  • A statue of Arab poet Al-Mutanabbi during a sandstorm in Baghdad. Reuters
    A statue of Arab poet Al-Mutanabbi during a sandstorm in Baghdad. Reuters

Iraq dust storms continue to bring cities to a standstill


Sinan Mahmoud
  • English
  • Arabic

Millions of Iraqis endured another dust storm day on Monday, the latest in an unrelenting spate that has blanketed the country since April.

The night before, the government declared Monday a public holiday except for the health, security and services departments. The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority also decided to suspend all flights until further notice.

Iraq's Meteorological Authority said the country had been hit by an anticyclone coming from the eastern Mediterranean with wind speeds of between 40 and 50 kilometres per hour, lifting dust and sand from the vast expanses of desert in western and north-western parts of the country.

Almost all of Iraq will be hit by the latest storm which could last until Tuesday afternoon and is expected to cross to the Gulf States, it added.

Authorities urged Iraqis to stay indoors as much as they can, to seek treatment for breathing difficulties and put on surgical masks if they need to go out. A hotline has been set up for emergencies.

The storm has left the usually traffic-choked Iraqi streets largely deserted with a thick layer of orange dust settling across the buildings and vehicles. The storm has been more severe in the provinces of Najaf and Karbala, south of Baghdad, turning the skies orange.

Rescuers have been deployed outside to offer first aid for those with breathing difficulties, giving them oxygen either inside the ambulances or on pavements.

The strongest storm was felt at the Iraqi-Syrian borders. In one video published on social media by security forces showed the dust engulfed a trailer as at least two men covered themselves with sheets on beds while tumultuous storm lashing outside.

By Monday afternoon, flights had been resumed at all airports.

Iraq is the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to the effects of climate change, according to the UN. It faces a wide range of challenges made worse by water insecurity, mismanagement and man-made issues such as the illegal razing of agricultural areas to build houses.

Among the devastating consequences of rising temperatures are droughts and desertification.

About 39 per cent of the country is affected by desertification and 54 per cent of its agricultural lands have been degraded mainly by soil salinity caused by reduced water flows in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, a declining precipitation rate and sea level increases, the UN says.

Iraq is no stranger to sandstorms, but they have been much more frequent in recent years as the country reels under mounting environmental challenges.

Earlier this month, one person died and more than 5,000 were admitted to hospital suffering from breathing difficulties, according to the Health Ministry.

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Company%20profile
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

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Apple product price list

iPad Pro

11" - $799 (64GB)
12.9" - $999 (64GB)

MacBook Air 

$1,199

Mac Mini

$799

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The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

The schedule

December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club

December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq

December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm

December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition

December 13: Falcon beauty competition

December 14 and 20: Saluki races

December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm

December 16 - 19: Falconry competition

December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am

December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am

December 22: The best herd of 30 camels

SERIES INFO

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series

All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Test series

1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March

Play starts at 9.30am

T20 series

1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March

TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

FIXTURES

All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Friday
Sevilla v Levante (midnight)

Saturday
Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad (7.15pm)
Eibar v Valencia (9.30pm)
Atletico Madrid v Alaves (11.45pm)

Sunday
Girona v Getafe (3pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7.15pm)
Las Palmas v Espanyol (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Deportivo la Coruna (11.45pm)

Monday
Malaga v Real Betis (midnight)

Updated: May 24, 2022, 5:40 AM