PM:12:27:23/05/2022
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SULAIMANI — A fresh wave of sandstorms stroke
Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, on Monday (May 23) and is expected to
last until Tuesday (May 24).
Iraqi meteorologist Sadiq al-Attiya told the Iraqi News
Agency yesterday that the dust storm will decrease visibility on Monday, with
its peak occurring around noon, and its impact will gradually
weaken.
Flights were suspended due to poor visibility in some of
Iraq's airports, including Baghdad, Erbil and Sulaimani airports.
Yesterday, the Iraqi Premier Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced
one-day public holidays for most government offices due to the weather
conditions brought on by the dust storm in the country.
This year, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have been gripped
by a series of dust storms, prompting hundreds of people to visit hospitals
with breathing difficulties and causing disruptions to flights and schools.
While dust storms are common in Iraq, they are increasingly
becoming more frequent and more severe. Experts have blamed climate change, desertification
and drought.
(NRT Digital Media)