Weather tracker: sandstorm turns Iraqi skies orange and empties the streets

Thousands go to hospital with respiratory problems after massive dust cloud blows in from Saudi ArabiaIraq was hit by its most severe sandstorm of 2025 this week, turning skies from blue to an orange haze. Visibility dropped to less than half a mile, causing travel disruptions, with two major airports halting flights, and streets in Basra, the largest city in southern Iraq, left deserted. Respiratory problems sent thousands to hospital. The storm also affected Kuwait, where wind gusts exceeded 50mph, and visibility in some areas was diminished to zero.This massive dust cloud originated in Saudi Arabia before being blown into Iraq. While dust storms are common in Iraq, climate change is expected to intensify them across the region in the future, fuelled by desertification in Saudi Arabia and Syria. Continue reading...