More than 2,000 people have been injured in Iraq as a result of the strongest sandstorm that hit the country, the Al Arabiya TV channel reported on Monday.
According to the channel, the victims have respiratory problems and signs of suffocation.
Earlier Monday, more than 300 Iraqis were reported to have sought medical help in Kerbela and Najaf alone.
The dust front reached most parts of Iraq on Sunday evening. The country's weather service reported that bad weather conditions would persist for 48 hours. Meanwhile, some time ago it had informed that the dust would start to dissipate by Monday evening. The day before, the authorities declared Monday a day off in all state institutions, except those related to health, security forces, emergency and utilities. Once again, exams at a number of educational institutions were canceled and stock exchanges were closed.
Since April, Iraq has been hit by several sandstorms that have already resulted in the temporary closing of airports, causing many problems for ordinary residents, line ministries and utilities. A number of experts explain the increased frequency with which powerful dust streams cover the region in recent times by climatic changes, as well as by irrational use of land and water resources. Exactly one week ago, major airports and seaports in Iraq and Kuwait temporarily suspended their work due to bad weather. Thousands of Iraqis suffered from breathing problems, and in Syria, the storm killed at least ten people.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS