Severe dust storm leaves over 2 700 people hospitalized in Iraq
A severe dust storm swept through Iraq on April 14, 2025, hospitalizing over 2 700 people due to suffocation and respiratory issues, primarily in the southern provinces. The storm covered regions in a blood-red and orange haze, disrupted travel, and overwhelmed hospitals in Maysan, Basra, and Muthanna.
Dust storm in Iraq on April 14, 2025. Image credit: Arab Storms
A powerful dust storm struck Iraq on April 14, causing significant health impacts across multiple provinces. A total of 2 751 suffocation cases were reported, with the country’s southern provinces the worst hit.
Basra alone reported 749 cases, while Muthanna recorded 700, and Maysan 656 cases, straining local medical facilities.
Diwaniyah reported 322 cases, Dhi Qar 174, and Najaf 150. Health officials say that these numbers will continue to rise as the dust continues to impact the country.
عاصفة غبارية حمراء تضرب غرب العراق
— طقس_العالم (@Arab_Storms) April 15, 2025
14-4-2025
Iraq pic.twitter.com/5239WuzLSK
Hospitals in Maysan were particularly overwhelmed, with 12 facilities and emergency units managing a surge in patients. The rising number of patients has overwhelmed local health care centers with limited resources, especially in rural areas.
In Najaf, a preliminary report by the health directorate noted a dramatic surge in respiratory cases: Al-Hakeem Hospital received 88 patients, Al-Mishkhab 40, Al-Manathira 60, Al-Sadr 50, Al-Furat 17, and Najaf Educational (German) Hospital 30.
intensity of the dust mass in southern Iraq. pic.twitter.com/6xfwgRQs6R
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) April 14, 2025
Governor Yusuf Ghanawi declared a full alert across healthcare facilities, ensuring the availability of oxygen supplies and deploying civil defense teams to handle emergencies.
A similar state of emergency was declared by Governor Murtadha Al-Ibrahimi in Dhi Qar, where hospitals are managing a sharp rise in suffocation cases.
The storm caused by powerful westerly winds reduced visibility to less than 1 km (0.6 miles) across the affected regions, with some areas experiencing near zero visibility.
The blinding conditions on roads have made travel difficult, with multiple crashes reported of which five in Najaf alone.
Amer Al-Jabari, spokesperson for the Iraqi Meteorological Authority, urged citizens to avoid highways, citing dangerously low visibility in the southern, central, and western parts of the country.
Police and pedestrians in Najaf wore masks to protect themselves from the airborne dust. Despite the storm’s intensity, air travel remained operational, with the Baghdad and Basra airports remaining fully functional during the storm.
مشهد من العاصفة الغبارية في الكويت اليوم
— طقس_العالم (@Arab_Storms) April 14, 2025
14-4-2025
Kuwait pic.twitter.com/uaQk6qczYR
The storm also impacted Kuwait, with videos on social media showing brownout conditions in parts of the country.
A weather warning was issued across the country, with temperatures being forecast to plunge along with strong winds. The weather supported the impact of the dust storm, reducing visibility to near zero in some areas.
Gusts of over 80 km/h (50 mph) were recorded at multiple weather stations across the country, with authorities urging citizens to remain indoors.
The Ministry of Education announced that classes will be held remotely on Tuesday across all schools in order to ensure the safety of the students.
References:
1 Iraq: Dusty night triggers 2,750 cases of suffocation – Shafaq News – April 15, 2025
2 Dust Storms Choke Southern Iraq: Thousands Hospitalized Amid Worsening Air Crisis – Kurdistan 24 – April 15, 2025
3 Schools out, caution urged as heavy dust storm blankets Kuwait – Kuwait Times – April 14, 2025
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