Shafaqna English- The Iraq Green Observatory announced that the number of days in which temperatures exceed 50°C in Iraq has increased at an alarming rate, with each such day causing approximately $150 million in economic losses.
According to Shafaqna, NON News Agency reported that the observatory said in a statement that Iraq is increasingly being affected by climate change, reflected in rising temperatures, a growing number of extremely hot days, and declining rainfall.
According to the statement, before 2010, Iraq experienced only 3 to 5 days per year with temperatures exceeding 50°C. However, this figure has now risen to 25 to 40 days annually in the cities of Baghdad, Basra, and Maysan, representing an estimated 800 percent increase over the past 15 years.
The Iraq Green Observatory also stated that every day in which temperatures exceed 50°C results in approximately $150 million in economic losses. These losses stem from power outages, factory shutdowns, increased fuel consumption, and reduced productivity in both the public and private sectors.
The observatory added that the economic losses caused by extreme summer heat in 2025 have exceeded $9 billion.
Another section of the report noted that Iraqi hospitals recorded 3,200 cases of heatstroke and heat stress during July 2025 alone. It also stated that, due to localized warming and the increasing frequency of dust storms, 60 percent of roadside trees have been lost, while the occurrence of dust storms has increased by **70 percent.
The Iraq Green Observatory identified the destruction of orchards and green spaces as one of the main factors contributing to rising temperatures in the country, noting that Baghdad has already lost 85 percent of its orchards.
Source: Shafaqna Persian