Baghdad residents head to the river to escape the heat

Baghdad — The Tigris River provides some respite from the scorching summer heat in Baghdad. Boys dive from a structure known as "Amsinya" into its waters to cool off.The capital's bodies of water expect a lot of visitors.

Iraq typically faces brutal heat in the summers. Frequent electricity outages make life even harder when temperatures soar.

Due to the heat, some find it unbearable to stay indoors, and head to the river to cool off.

For those who can't get to the river or a swimming pool, a glass of pomegranate juice or some ice cream can offer a bit of refreshment.
 
Making matters worse, Iraqis have suffered from power shortages for decades. Billions of dollars have been spent trying to fix the country’s power grid since the 2003 US-led invasion plunged the country into chaos. Many Iraqis, particularly Baghdad residents, only receive an estimated 10-12 hours of power per day.

Reporting by Associated Press