Iraq announces nationwide power outage amid 'record' heat

Iraq on Monday announced a nationwide power outage as rising temperatures pushed 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 amid a spike in consumption triggered by a "record rise in temperatures", with the heat reaching 48-50C 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.