In pics - Ninth sandstorm in less than two months shuts down much of Iraq
Giant dust clouds
Iraq's capital Baghdad and some other parts of the country experienced giant dust clouds that brought life to a standstill on the roads.
'Poor climatic conditions'
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi cited “poor climatic conditions' as all work was stopped in public institutions due to the sandstorms.
300 sandstorms per year by 2050
According to the recent data, Iraq is one of the five most vulnerable nations to climate change and experts believe that they can end up facing around 300 sandstorms per year by 2050.
Airports stopped functioning
The sandstorm also resulted in the suspension of air traffic as all the airports around the country were closed in the morning.
Government to plant more trees
Iraq’s environment ministry has decided to plant trees around the country in an attempt to counter the worst weather conditions the country has faced in the recent past.
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