A severe sandstorm has swept through central and southern Iraq, blanketing cities in an orange haze and forcing the closure of airports as health facilities reported an alarming increase in respiratory issues.

This storm, the largest of the year, reduced visibility to less than one kilometer in various areas, Reuters reported.

Hospitals have been overwhelmed, with Muthanna province alone reporting approximately 700 cases of suffocation, as confirmed by health official Mazen Al Egeili. In nearby Najaf province, at least 250 individuals were hospitalized due to breathing difficulties, while Diwaniyah province treated around 322 patients, including children.

Additionally, more than 530 residents in Dhi Qar and Basra provinces sought medical assistance for respiratory problems.

In light of the hazardous conditions, airport operations in Najaf and Basra were temporarily halted, according to Reuters.

This latest sandstorm highlights Iraq's vulnerability to such climate events, as research by the United Nations identifies the country as one of the five most affected by climate change.