Huge sandstorm blocks the sun in Baghdad, Iraq March 3 2022

A large sandstorm hit Iraq on March 3rd 2022. Storm weather caused a thick sandstorm that blocked the sun in several areas of Iraq, including Baghdad, Basra and Karbala. Hospitals saw a high number of patients as air quality decreased. Residents were advised not to leave their homes. Shops and businesses were forced to close. In the holy city of Karbala, prayer sites were impacted as the storms encroached. Traffic was stopped as visibility decreased, restricting travel. The force of the winds caused damage to vehicles, as debris was blown into cars. The high winds were caused by depressions on the Arabian peninsula, which is expected to lead to rain in the coming days, with the severity increased due to a lack of natural vegetation in the region. Sand storms were also reported in neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia, with warnings in place for further impacts in a number of areas.