ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi meteorological agency has warned that sandstorms will continue and sweep across the country until next week.

The meteorology department said, “Moderate southeasterly winds (20-30 km/h) [on Thursday] will cause dust to rise in the southern region and the western parts of the central region. Temperatures will rise across all regions of the country. Visibility will be 6-8 km, and in rain and dust, 3-5 km.”

The agency warned that sandstorms will continue until next week.

Iraq is among the countries most affected by climate change globally. Dropping water levels and increasing dust storms have led thousands to displacement across the country and resulted in wide demographic change.

Dust storms have plagued Iraq since earlier this month, sending thousands to hospitals due to breathing difficulties, according to data from Iraq’s Ministry of Health.

Iraq’s Environment Ministry has already warned that the country is expected to experience a rising number of "dust days" in the coming decades.

Rampant desertification has caused frequent dust storms in Iraq, making them common in recent years.

Iraq experiences over 200 dusty days per year, according to data by the government, with the number projected to reach 300 by 2050 unless drastic steps to battle climate change are taken.

The United Nations ranks Iraq among the world's five most climate-vulnerable nations.