Filmed on July 5, 2021.
BAGHDAD — As Baghdad sizzles and the electricity fails, sales of coolers and blocks of ice are going up.
Mustafa Hassan sells coolers.
“They use it to keep ice because there is no power and service, there’s nothing. Currently, the temperature is 50 degrees. Sometimes it reaches 53 degrees. There’s no national power and the generator owners cut off the power to people,” he said.
“Obtaining ice blocks is very challenging. Currently, there is no power. Ice is obtained from New Baghdad – 30 kilometers away. We go to stand in line at 2 am because it’s very crowded and it's too hot,” said Ahmed Ali, who sells blocks of ice.
Iraq has chronic electricity shortages, but this summer has been worse. Reduced imports from Iran and terror attacks on the power grid have led to blackouts.
To keep cool, some dive into the Tigris River for a swim. “We can’t stay at home because of the heat,” said swimmer Lu’ay Mohammed.
Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
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