Iraqi capital hit again by sandstorms – in pictures

  • A man smokes a cigarette during a sandstorm in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters
    A man smokes a cigarette during a sandstorm in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters
  • The sand or dust storm is the latest in a series of what Iraqis say is an unprecedented number to hit the country in recent weeks. Reuters
    The sand or dust storm is the latest in a series of what Iraqis say is an unprecedented number to hit the country in recent weeks. Reuters
  • Only a week ago, a similar sandstorm grounded planes at Baghdad International Airport and many schools and offices were forced to close. Reuters
    Only a week ago, a similar sandstorm grounded planes at Baghdad International Airport and many schools and offices were forced to close. Reuters
  • Hundreds of people across Baghdad and in southern cities went to hospital with breathing difficulties. AP
    Hundreds of people across Baghdad and in southern cities went to hospital with breathing difficulties. AP
  • At least one sandstorm a week has hit Iraq since last month. AP
    At least one sandstorm a week has hit Iraq since last month. AP
  • The enveloping orange haze of sand and dust tends to reduce visibility to a few hundred metres. AP
    The enveloping orange haze of sand and dust tends to reduce visibility to a few hundred metres. AP
  • Climate change is causing the sandstorms, many in Iraq believe. AP
    Climate change is causing the sandstorms, many in Iraq believe. AP
  • The country has been hit by soil degradation, intense drought and low rainfall linked to climate change. Reuters
    The country has been hit by soil degradation, intense drought and low rainfall linked to climate change. Reuters
  • The proliferation of sandstorms has also been associated with overuse of river water, excessive building of dams, overgrazing and deforestation. EPA
    The proliferation of sandstorms has also been associated with overuse of river water, excessive building of dams, overgrazing and deforestation. EPA
  • An Environment Ministry official said Iraq could face '272 days of dust' a year over the next two decades. EPA
    An Environment Ministry official said Iraq could face '272 days of dust' a year over the next two decades. EPA
  • The supply of water has been declining for years, and Iraq is classified by the UN as one of the world's five countries most vulnerable to climate change and desertification. EPA
    The supply of water has been declining for years, and Iraq is classified by the UN as one of the world's five countries most vulnerable to climate change and desertification. EPA
  • Cars drive along a street at Kahraman Square shrouded in heavy dust in central Baghdad, but the going is slow. EPA
    Cars drive along a street at Kahraman Square shrouded in heavy dust in central Baghdad, but the going is slow. EPA
  • A heavy dust storm in Nasiriyah, southern Iraq. AFP
    A heavy dust storm in Nasiriyah, southern Iraq. AFP
  • Cycling along a pedestrian bridge amid a Nasiriyah dust storm. AFP
    Cycling along a pedestrian bridge amid a Nasiriyah dust storm. AFP
  • Bedouin shepherds during a sandstorm sweeping Iraq. AFP
    Bedouin shepherds during a sandstorm sweeping Iraq. AFP
  • A traffic policeman directs the flow of cars as dust limits visibility in Nasiriyah. AFP
    A traffic policeman directs the flow of cars as dust limits visibility in Nasiriyah. AFP
  • Sheep herded by Bedouin shepherds near Najaf are almost hidden by a sandstorm. AFP
    Sheep herded by Bedouin shepherds near Najaf are almost hidden by a sandstorm. AFP
  • A dusty walk in Baghdad. Reuters
    A dusty walk in Baghdad. Reuters
  • A statue of Arab poet Al-Mutanabbi during a sandstorm in Baghdad. Reuters
    A statue of Arab poet Al-Mutanabbi during a sandstorm in Baghdad. Reuters