Severe Dust Storm Hits Iraq and Iran, Causing Health Emergencies and Flight Disruptions

On December 14, 2024, a severe dust storm swept through the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, reducing visibility to just a few meters in some areas. The intensity of the storm created widespread health emergencies across the region, with 65 individuals in Saladin Province requiring medical assistance for breathing difficulties. These individuals were treated at a hospital in Balad district as the storm made it difficult for residents to breathe.

With the storm's effects still ongoing, people were advised to take precautions by wearing surgical masks or covering their faces with scarves to protect themselves from the thick layers of airborne dust. The streets of Baghdad and surrounding areas appeared desolate, with residents struggling to navigate the difficult conditions. State-run media reported the suspension of all flights in the affected areas until visibility and air quality improved.

The dust storm also affected neighboring Iran, particularly in the oil-rich provinces of Khuzestan and Bushehr, located over 400 km southwest of Tehran. Reports from the region indicated that visibility was reduced to just 100 meters, and local authorities shut down schools and public services for the day. In Abadan, a city in Khuzestan Province, air quality levels reached an alarming AQI of 500, which is more than 25 times the World Health Organization's recommended safety limit for air pollution.

As residents in both Iraq and Iran struggled to cope with the storm, many were forced to stay indoors to limit exposure to the hazardous air quality. Local authorities urged people to wear masks for protection, especially in areas where air pollution reached dangerous levels. The storm has been described as one of the most intense in recent years, exacerbating health and environmental concerns in the region.

Dust and sandstorms are common in Iraq and Iran, but experts have noted an increase in their frequency and intensity in recent years. Contributing factors include deforestation, overuse of river water, overgrazing, and prolonged droughts. These environmental changes, combined with shifting weather patterns, have made such storms more frequent and severe.