The Iraqi city of Basra is bracing for an intense heatwave, leading authorities to declare a work stoppage in all government departments next Thursday due to expected high temperatures. This decision follows warnings from Kuwaiti meteorologists about a significant rise in temperatures in the coming days, posing risks to public health and safety, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Basra Governor Asaad al-Eidani noted that the temperatures are expected to exceed 50 degrees Celsius, necessitating measures to protect employees from heat exhaustion and to manage these harsh conditions properly. Amidst this severe heatwave, Iraqis are facing extended power outages, prompting many families to rely on private generators to ensure continued power supply.
The United Nations classifies Iraq as one of the countries most affected by climate change, experiencing decreased rainfall, rising temperatures, and worsening drought conditions.
Iraq is grappling with significant environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change, including rising temperatures and intense droughts. These conditions have severely impacted its agricultural sector and heightened socio-economic stresses across the country. The nation is working on adapting to these changes through initiatives like the Climate Change National Adaptation Plan, which involves capacity-building efforts to enhance climate resilience.
Recent years have seen a higher frequency of extreme weather events, pushing Iraq to intensify its measures against the harsh climate impacts. Efforts include expanding renewable energy technology and improving water management to mitigate the effects of temperature increases and water scarcity.
Moreover, Iraq’s government and international partners are focusing on integrating climate considerations into national decision-making processes to better prepare for and respond to the evolving climate scenario.
