Medical Alert in Baghdad Due to Dust Storms

The hospitals and health centers within the Rusafa health department in Baghdad have received dozens of cases of choking and severe asthma because of dust storms in the capital, while Iraq's Meteorological Agency said the dusty atmosphere will probably continue in most cities until Friday.

Information director at the Rusafa health department Qassim Abdul-Hadi said: No deaths due to suffocation were registered so far. The emergency sections and medical and nursing staff are ready in all hospitals and the required equipment has been provided.

The Meteorological Agency said in a statement that the dust storms interrupted by heavy dust are expected to continue in many places, leading to deterioration of the visibility between two to four kilometers.

The speed of the dust storms range between 400-600 meters with northwesterly moderate wind at a speed of 20-30 km/hour and may sometimes reach more than 50 km/hour.

By Afrah Shwqi

RN/DM/AKnews