A stray dog casually makes his way through Khulani Square in the center of Baghdad during the city's ninth sandstorm in two months on May 23. The latest has been the most intense the city has seen yet.

The past few months have seen a sharp rise in the frequency and severity of sandstorms in Iraq due to a global climate crisis and severe rain shortages in the country. Effects of which have been seen most harshly in the southern mesopotamian marshes of Iraq, through to its capital Baghdad and all the way to the northmost Kurdish regions.

Experts warn that Iraq could see up to 270 days a year of potential sandstorms in Iraq's near future if climate conditions continue to deteriorate, and ultimately rising to above 300 by 2050.

The government announced a national day off in anticipation of the latest storm and advised motorists and people who suffer breathing complications to take caution and avoiding leaving the house unless absolutely necessary.

A stray dog casually makes his way through Khulani square in the center of Baghdad during the city's 9th sandstorm in the space of two months. The latest has been the most intense the city has seen yet.

The past few months have seen a sharp rise in the frequency and severity of sandstorms in Iraq due to a global climate crisis and severe rain shortages in the country. Effects of which have been seen most harshly in the southern mesopotamian marshes of Iraq, through to its capital Baghdad and all the way to the northmost Kurdish regions. Experts warn that Iraq could see up to 270 days a year of potential sandstorms in Iraq's near future if climate conditions continue to deteriorate. Ultimately rising to above 300 by 2050.

The government announced a national day off in anticipation of the latest storm and advised motorists and people who suffer breathing complications to take caution and avoiding leaving the house unless absolutely necessary.