Thousands hospitalised as latest sandstorm brings Iraq to standstill

A severe sandstorm has descended Monday on climate-stressed Iraq and sent at least 4,000 people to hospital with breathing problems and led to the closure of airports, schools and public offices across the country. It is the eighth dust storm since mid-April to hit Iraq, which has been battered by soil degradation, intense droughts and low rainfall linked to climate change.

May 19, 2022, 00:00 AM IST