Iraq hit by dust storm, thousands of people demand treatment

One person has died and more than 5,000 others have been laid out in hospitals in Iraq, due to breathing problems, as a result of the seventh dust storm within a month.

Health Ministry spokesman Saif al-Badr has said that 2,000 cases of “sands of spirit” were reported in Baghdad, according to Iraqi news agencies.

He has advised people with asthma and other chronic diseases to stay in their inner environments.

Dust storms are common in Iraq, but some experts believe they are growing because of climate change.

Another storm Sunday has left dozens of people with respiratory problems and has affected flights to airports in Baghdad and Najaf.

Health Ministry spokesman Saif al-Badr has said Thursday that all medical centres in Iraq are available and that the number of people stationed in hospitals “is not final”.

According to him, most accepted people have had chronic illnesses, such as asthma or have been older.

The Environment Ministry has said last month that Iraq could face “272 days of dust storms” over a year.

In recent years, Iraq has faced record rainfall declines and summer temperatures at over 50 degrees Celsius.