Power cuts expected as Israel braces for rainy weather

After unprecedented sandstorm and heatwave, Israel Electric Corporation says technical failures may occur at higher rate

Illustration. Israel suffered unseasonable rain on May 14,2015. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Illustration. Israel suffered unseasonable rain on May 14,2015. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

After a summer marked by especially high temperatures and a five-day sandstorm that broke air pollution records this month, Israel is expected to see its first real rainy day of the season nationwide on Monday.

But with the relief comes a caveat as the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) issued a warning Sunday that power cuts should be expected at a higher rate than usual, following the high concentration of dust particles in the air. The IEC said that it called in reinforcements to deal with the cuts and to man the phones.

During the sandstorm earlier this month, power usage broke an all-time record as Israelis tried to keep cool — surpassing an earlier all-time high set during a heatwave last month.

The Environmental Protection Ministry reported in several parts of the country that air pollution levels during the storm were at their worst in 75 years.

Heavy dust turns the Tel Aviv sky orange at midday on September 8, 2015. The sandstorm that has blanketed the region was the worst in the country's history. (Times of Israel)
Heavy dust turns the Tel Aviv sky orange at midday on September 8, 2015. The sandstorm that has blanketed the region was the worst in the country’s history. (Times of Israel)

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