Dust is a growing threat to lives in the Middle East
As a dry region gets drier, sandstorms grow more frequent
The sky turned orange and the hospitals turned frenetic. Thousands of Iraqis descended on emergency rooms complaining that they could not breathe. Some had to be put on respirators. Businesses told workers to stay at home, schools closed and airports cancelled flights. Life came to a halt amid a swirl of dust.
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “A harrowing haze”
Middle East & Africa May 21st 2022
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