Largest Sandstorm in History?
A huge sandstorm is covering parts of Iraq
By Joyce C. Tang
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1909339,00.html
One of the worst sandstorms in history has blanketed Iraq for more than a week. On the streets, the fine dust has coated everything. People's hair and clothes are a rusty orange color. Residents aren't leaving their homes without the protection of face masks.
A sandstorm, also known as a dust storm, occurs when high winds blow loose sand and dust. Last Sunday, a NASA satellite took pictures of the giant sandstorm at its height. Some parts of the storm were so thick that the ground below was not visible. The sandstorm has caused health problems, delayed flights, and interfered with local businesses and government activity. Even U.S. Vice President Joe Biden had to call off plans to visit the Iraqi president. As many as 300 people have complained of difficulty breathing at a hospital in Baghdad, the nation's capital.
Because visibility is only a few yards, the Baghdad airport was shut down. Police are directing traffic on the streets. It's not only the outdoors that is dangerous, however. The dust creeps under doorways and through cracks in windows, covering the insides of buildings as well. It even leaves an iron–like taste in people's mouths.
Rain, Rain, Come Again
Iraq is a desert country, so sandstorms are common. The situation this year has been worse because of several recent years of drought. Little rainfall has left the land drier than usual, causing it to become dustier. The dust has even blown over to Iran and Saudi Arabia—two neighboring nations. Government offices in Iran, and schools in Tehran, Iran's capital, have declared Tuesday and Wednesday public holidays so they could close down because of the storms.
Experts say that sandstorms have become more frequent in Iraq. They blame the drought, the growth of cities into areas that once grew crops, and military vehicles removing the upper crust of sand. Sandstorms usually last for a day, but this one has stretched on for more than a week. It may end up being the largest dust storm in modern history.
Max-I wish that the sandstorm will weaken its power after a few days so that the people in Iraq will become healthier and not go to the hospital. If the sandstorm became stronger, some people will even die of difficult breathing. I wish there is no more sandstorms stronger than this one.
2009/07/11
Largest Sandstorm in History
Largest Sandstorm in History?
A huge sandstorm is covering parts of Iraq
By Joyce C. Tang
One of the worst sandstorms in history has blanketed Iraq for more than a week. On the streets, the fine dust has coated everything. People's hair and clothes are a rusty orange color. Residents aren't leaving their homes without the protection of face masks.
A sandstorm, also known as a dust storm, occurs when high winds blow loose sand and dust. Last Sunday, a NASA satellite took pictures of the giant sandstorm at its height. Some parts of the storm were so thick that the ground below was not visible. The sandstorm has caused health problems, delayed flights, and interfered with local businesses and government activity. Even U.S. Vice President Joe Biden had to call off plans to visit the Iraqi president. As many as 300 people have complained of difficulty breathing at a hospital in Baghdad, the nation's capital.
Because visibility is only a few yards, the Baghdad airport was shut down. Police are directing traffic on the streets. It's not only the outdoors that is dangerous, however. The dust creeps under doorways and through cracks in windows, covering the insides of buildings as well. It even leaves an iron–like taste in people's mouths.
Rain, Rain, Come Again
Iraq is a desert country, so sandstorms are common. The situation this year has been worse because of several recent years of drought. Little rainfall has left the land drier than usual, causing it to become dustier. The dust has even blown over to Iran and Saudi Arabia—two neighboring nations. Government offices in Iran, and schools in Tehran, Iran's capital, have declared Tuesday and Wednesday public holidays so they could close down because of the storms.
Experts say that sandstorms have become more frequent in Iraq. They blame the drought, the growth of cities into areas that once grew crops, and military vehicles removing the upper crust of sand. Sandstorms usually last for a day, but this one has stretched on for more than a week. It may end up being the largest dust storm in modern history.
Max-I wish that the sandstorm will weaken its power after a few days so that the people in Iraq will become healthier and not go to the hospital. If the sandstorm became stronger, some people will even die of difficult breathing. I wish there is no more sandstorms stronger than this one.
A huge sandstorm is covering parts of Iraq
By Joyce C. Tang
One of the worst sandstorms in history has blanketed Iraq for more than a week. On the streets, the fine dust has coated everything. People's hair and clothes are a rusty orange color. Residents aren't leaving their homes without the protection of face masks.
A sandstorm, also known as a dust storm, occurs when high winds blow loose sand and dust. Last Sunday, a NASA satellite took pictures of the giant sandstorm at its height. Some parts of the storm were so thick that the ground below was not visible. The sandstorm has caused health problems, delayed flights, and interfered with local businesses and government activity. Even U.S. Vice President Joe Biden had to call off plans to visit the Iraqi president. As many as 300 people have complained of difficulty breathing at a hospital in Baghdad, the nation's capital.
Because visibility is only a few yards, the Baghdad airport was shut down. Police are directing traffic on the streets. It's not only the outdoors that is dangerous, however. The dust creeps under doorways and through cracks in windows, covering the insides of buildings as well. It even leaves an iron–like taste in people's mouths.
Rain, Rain, Come Again
Iraq is a desert country, so sandstorms are common. The situation this year has been worse because of several recent years of drought. Little rainfall has left the land drier than usual, causing it to become dustier. The dust has even blown over to Iran and Saudi Arabia—two neighboring nations. Government offices in Iran, and schools in Tehran, Iran's capital, have declared Tuesday and Wednesday public holidays so they could close down because of the storms.
Experts say that sandstorms have become more frequent in Iraq. They blame the drought, the growth of cities into areas that once grew crops, and military vehicles removing the upper crust of sand. Sandstorms usually last for a day, but this one has stretched on for more than a week. It may end up being the largest dust storm in modern history.
Max-I wish that the sandstorm will weaken its power after a few days so that the people in Iraq will become healthier and not go to the hospital. If the sandstorm became stronger, some people will even die of difficult breathing. I wish there is no more sandstorms stronger than this one.
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