In Pics| Sandstorm shrouds Middle East in orange haze, disrupts normal life

A sandstorm blanketed parts of the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria and Iran, sending people to hospitals and disrupting flights in some places. It was the latest in a series of unprecedented nearly back-to-back sandstorms this year that have bewildered residents and raised alarm among experts and officials, who blame climate change and poor governmental regulations.

A sandstorm blanketed parts of the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria and Iran, sending people to hospitals and disrupting flights in some places. Credit: AFP Photo

It was the latest in a series of unprecedented nearly back-to-back sandstorms this year that have bewildered residents and raised alarm among experts and officials, who blame climate change and poor governmental regulations. Credit: AFP Photo

From Riyadh to Tehran, bright orange skies and a thick veil of grit signalled yet another stormy day. Sandstorms are typical in late spring and summer, spurred by seasonal winds. But this year they have occurred nearly every week in Iraq since March. Credit: AFP Photo

Iraqi authorities declared the day a national holiday, urging government workers and residents to stay home in anticipation of the 10th storm to hit the country in the last two months. The Health Ministry stockpiled canisters of oxygen at facilities in hard-hit areas, according to a statement. Credit: AFP Photo

The storms have sent thousands to hospitals and resulted in at least one death in Iraq and three in Syria's east. Credit: AFP Photo

In Syria, medical departments were put on alert as the sandstorm hit the eastern province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq, Syrian state TV said. Earlier this month, a similar storm in the region left at least three people dead and hundreds were hospitalized with breathing problems. Credit: AFP Photo

Severe sandstorms have also blanketed parts of Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia this month. For the second time this month, Kuwait International Airport suspended all flights Monday because of the dust. Video showed largely empty streets with poor visibility. Credit: AFP Photo

Saudi Arabia's meteorological association reported that visibility would drop to zero on the roads in Riyadh, the capital, this week. Officials warned drivers to go slowly. Credit: AFP Photo

Blame over the dust storms and heavy air pollution has mounted, with a prominent environmental expert telling local media that climate change, drought and government mismanagement of water resources are responsible for the increase in sandstorms. Iran has drained its wetlands for farming -- a common practice known to produce dust in the region. Credit: AFP Photo