Iraqi provinces suspend work in government offices due to extreme heat

2 years ago

MUTHANHA, IRAQ - APRIL 26: A view from Lake Sawa, which is not connected to any river or stream, after drought due to climate change and harmful agricultural policies that deplete groundwater resources in Muthanna, Iraq on April 26, 2022. Water scarcity, increase in salt concentration and sandstorms caused by climate change cause the destruction of important ancient structures, cultural and natural heritage of world heritage in Mesopotamia, including Iraq. Lake Sawa, located in the closed basin west of Samawa, the city center of Iraq's Muthanha province, which has been home to at least 31 bird species including gray heron and ferruginous duck for centuries, has now left its place to cracked soil and dried lake bed. ( Arshad Mohammed - Anadolu Agency )

Rising temperatures in Iraq have promoted eight out of the country’s 18 provinces to suspend work at government offices today, Thursday.

The capital, Baghdad, as well as the provinces of Wasit, Najaf, Babil, Basra, Diwaniya, Muthanna and Diyala will witness a day off across government offices, due to high temperatures that are reaching 50 degrees Celsius today.

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