STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE THE OCCURRENCE OF SAND AND DUST STORMS IN THE KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ

A sand or dust storm is a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions,causing great damage to the economy, human health, and the environment. Sand and dust stormsoccur more frequently with higher intensity now in Iraq and Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) thanthey did in the past. This study proposes several pragmatic strategies to authorities in order toreduce the occurrence of sand and dust storms in KRI. The main cause of occurrence is associatedwith the decline in water resources in the region. Therefore, cooperation with neighboringcountries is likely to be the most effective strategy. Control of a sharp rise in population andgreenery expansion are other suggested mitigation strategies. Implementing these strategies bylocal and regional governments may reduce the occurrence of sand and dust storms to a certainextent. However, they cannot be eradicated as some of them originate from far countries andcontinents. Nevertheless, signs of climate change including sand storms are increasingly reported,we are, therefore, responsible to seek mitigation and adaptation strategies to the changes.