ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - A new wave of sandstorms has swept across the Kurdistan Region and other parts of Iraq, sending over 100 people to hospital with breathing difficulties, reducing visibility, and worsening air quality.

Iraq has seen a recent increase in hospitalizations as dust storms affect much of the country, with Kirkuk province experiencing the most severe consequences, as hundreds of people have been admitted with breathing difficulties.

Erbil, Sulaimani, and Kirkuk provinces have been hardest hit by the severe sandstorm since Tuesday morning.

“Though this dust storm is more severe compared with last week’s storm, we had fewer patient admissions at the Rizgari Hospital,” Saad Kamal, in charge of the Administration Department of Rizgari Hospital’s emergency section, told The New Region.

“We have eight patients, down from last week’s 18 or 19, thanks to the public adhering to the health awareness we spread,” Kamal said. “Those who suffer from chronic ailments have stayed at their homes.”

An official from Kurdistan’s meteorology confirmed to The New Region that the sandstorm will continue through Wednesday.

Erbil’s neighboring province of Kirkuk was also severely hit by the sandstorm, sending nearly 50 people suffering from breathing difficulties to hospital, a health official confirmed.

A total of 12 individuals have been hospitalized in Sulaimani since last night.

“Due to the impact of the sandstorm, a total of 12 people have been hospitalized until 9 am on Wednesday. Some of the patients have been discharged from the hospital after receiving necessary treatments,” Saman Sheikh Latif, spokesperson of the Sulaimani Health Department, announced.

In Duhok and Halabja, 30 and 15 people respectively have been hospitalized due to breathing difficulties, the two provinces’ health departments said.

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

Dust storms have plagued Iraq since earlier this month, resulting in thousands of hospitalizations, 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 commonplace in recent years.

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

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