The Ministry of Environment announced that Iraq is not expected to experience an increase in dust storms this year. Officials also revealed strong international cooperation in tree-planting, desertification control, and plans to adopt artificial rainmaking technologies.
Spokesman Louay Al-Mukhtar clarified that fighting dust storms in Iraq is not a seasonal mission. Instead, it demands years of careful planning and consistent action. He noted that more than 60 percent of the dust storms impacting Iraq actually originate beyond its borders.
However, he pointed out that there are also local hotspots inside Iraq that contribute to dust generation. The ministry has spent years creating maps of these hotspots using advanced geographic information systems. These maps were shared with key ministries like Agriculture, Water Resources, Construction, and the Baghdad Municipality to guide treatment plans.
Furthermore, Al-Mukhtar highlighted that Iraq once endured nearly 200 dusty days in a single year. That meant nearly two-thirds of the year faced poor air quality. Despite these past challenges, the number of dusty days has declined over the last six years. Encouragingly, there are no firm indications suggesting an increase in dust storms this year.
Fighting dust storms in Iraq requires addressing root causes like cold and hot air currents that lift dust from soft soil. Another major factor remains the shrinking vegetation cover, which results from drought and limited rainfall.
In addition, Al-Mukhtar mentioned that Iraq has signed research and study memorandums with neighboring Iran. Iraq also collaborates with nearby countries, especially Saudi Arabia, to boost afforestation and desertification-fighting efforts.
He emphasized that technologies for artificial rainfall are already in use in several countries, including the United Arab Emirates. Specialized committees in Iraq are currently examining the potential for implementing such techniques domestically.
Fighting dust storms in Iraq stands as a shared national responsibility. It requires a coordinated scientific approach, continuous regional partnerships, and bold investments in environmental sustainability.
