Sweltering Iraq goes dark as record heat takes down power grid

By AFP 11 August 2025, 7:23 pm

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Iraq says it is suffering a nationwide power outage as rising temperatures push demand on the electricity grid to unprecedented levels.

The electricity ministry said the grid suffered a “total outage” after the shutdown of two transmission lines during a spike in consumption triggered by a “record rise in temperatures,” with the heat reaching 48-50 C (118-122 F) in Baghdad and central and southern regions.

While households can still rely on private generators, the blackout comes as millions of Shiite Muslim pilgrims gather in the province of Karbala for a major religious commemoration, further straining demand, the ministry added.