Sandstorms

Iraq is one of the Middle East countries that has been hardest hit by sandstorms. The number of such cases has risen dramatically in the last decade and continues to rise. Regional and local sand and dust storms occur in this country. The former is, however, more common than the latter. A regional event typically extends beyond the territory of Iraq in various directions. In this article, the main causes of sand and dust storms in Iraq are discussed. However, the former causes greater economic losses and has more serious health consequences than the latter.

Climate change in the region, particularly a sharp decrease in the annual rate of rain and environmental changes such as swamp drying, land degradation, and desertification, are among the main causes of sand and dust storms. Sound water management, including the use of unconventional resources and the adaptation of appropriate irrigation methods, can significantly aid in the reduction of sandstorms.