An ‘apocalyptic’ dust storm that killed four people and hospitalized thousands could hit Europe as early as next week. A number of countries in the Middle East have been suffering from extreme weather caused by climate change, leading to orange-colored, dust-laden skies.
According to Unilad, In mid-May, a sandstorm blanketed areas in Iraq, Syria, and Iran, and now hospitals are overrun with patients experiencing breathing difficulties. The Iraqi Ministries of Health and Electricity announced a state of emergency due to the severe dust clouds hitting the country.
Flights at Baghdad Airport have also been suspended while the Iraqi authorities ordered government offices to shut in several regions, and at least four people are reported to have died in Iraq and Syria from the gritty haze in the atmosphere. Various Middle Eastern regions have been experiencing extreme weather since March, driven by severe droughts, rising temperatures, and less rainfall due to global warming.
The Saharan dust cloud created a “blood rain” effect in London and left UK streets covered in dust. But experts believe this current storm could be far more dangerous and potentially deadly, with doctors in Syria now treating patients unable to breathe after inhaling the dust. Most of the Gulf states have already declared a state of emergency. And Muge Akpinar-Elci, dean of the school of public health at the University of Nevada told The Guardian: “It is very concerning.
“Dust storms do not just impact one country or a specific location in the world and can have far-reaching consequences globally.” According to weather service Accuweather, the UK will experience level eight UV rays on the UV index from Saturday, June 18 – which is rated as “unhealthy”. It is set to last for three days, until Monday, June 20. This is the same rating London had when the “blood rain” hit the country last month – and could be a sign that the deadly dust clouds are coming our way.
