At least one military student has died and eight others were hospitalised after suffering heat stroke during an outdoor registration process at Iraq's Fourth Military College in Nasiriyah, as temperatures across the country approach 40 °C (104°F), the Defence Ministry announced on May 21.

The sudden deaths are occurring as record drought and high temperatures are ravaging Iraq's already dry and warm environment, whilst neighbouring Syria is fighting wildfires from a lack of rain. The early and intense summer heat has raised concerns about public health and safety, particularly for those required to work outdoors. Military officials are now reviewing protocols for outdoor activities during extreme weather conditions.

The incident occurred on May 18 when the nine students from the 89th intake were exposed to direct sunlight during their distribution to companies and platoons, Shafaq News reported.

"Signs of fatigue appeared on nine students due to exposure to sunlight, causing dehydration and health issues," the ministry statement said. While six students have fully recovered and two remain under medical observation, one student succumbed to health complications.

Defence Minister Thabit Mohammed Saeed Al-Abbasi ordered the immediate dismissal of both the college dean and regiment commander for negligence, and launched an investigation into the tragedy.

The fatality comes amid meteorologists warnings of an intensifying heatwave across Iraq. Weather forecaster Wathiq Al-Salami told Baghdad Today that temperatures would rise by approximately 7 °C, with readings touching 40 °C in central and southern regions, including Dhi Qar province.

"The weather will be clear, with northwesterly winds increasing in speed during the afternoon in southern and central Euphrates regions, potentially reaching speeds exceeding 65km/h, with chances of light dust storms in some areas," Al-Salami said.

Earlier this month, meteorologist Riyad Al-Quraishi warned that temperatures would exceed 40C in several provinces. "Starting Thursday, there will be a gradual rise in temperatures continuing through the weekend," he told Baghdad Today on May 7, adding that dust storms were expected due to shifting wind patterns.

Earlier on May 15, regional weather organisations noted historic heatwaves for this past week, as bne IntelliNews previously reported.

Tehran’s Meteorological Organisation has issued a rare alert, announcing the arrival of a significant mass of hot air from May 17. By mid-next week, temperatures will be significantly above the seasonal average across the region as the hotter periods push forward into spring. 

According to US satellite monitoring data, the report indicates that an extensive heat dome is predicted to form above the Persian Gulf, making temperature spikes past the 50°C (122°F) mark across the region.

The same week, Iraq's Meteorological Authority published a detailed report on weather forecasts, the effects of atmospheric instability will continue to impact the country's weather, with partly cloudy conditions expected across all cities, along with periods of clear skies in some areas and chances of light thundershowers in scattered areas of Nineveh, Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. 

In 2024, meteorologist Colin McCarthy reported that the region set a heat index temperature record of 82.2°C (180°F) and a dew point of 36.1°C (97°F), which, if confirmed, would be the highest such readings ever recorded on Earth, meteorologists said on August 28.

A heat index, also known as the "feels like" temperature, combines air temperature and humidity to estimate how hot it actually feels to the human body.

The 2025 heatwave season appears to be arriving much earlier than 2024, where a record 50°C (122°F) was logged in August.

The heat has caused a series of electricity failures across the region as people prepare to make the most significant movement for the annual Arba'een pilgrimage in Iraq.