Egyptian summers have always been hot, but the current temperatures in Cairo have reached unprecedented levels, staying above 100 degrees since May. This scorching heatwave has put a strain on both people and plants, with little relief in sight.
Adding to the discomfort is the ongoing power crisis that has plagued the country for over a year. Daily power cuts have left millions without air conditioning, leading to sweaty and uncomfortable conditions for hours each day.
Since the energy shortages last summer, power outages have become a common occurrence in Egypt. Local media outlets now provide tips on how to handle being stuck in an elevator during a blackout, a situation that has tragically resulted in deaths.
Efforts to address the power crisis include emergency imports of natural gas, with the government announcing a temporary halt to the blackouts from Sunday until mid-September. However, reports on social media indicate that power cuts are still happening, despite official statements suggesting otherwise.
Amidst rising prices, subsidy cuts, and currency devaluation, the relentless heatwaves and power outages have further strained the Egyptian population. Blaming the crisis on heatwaves, while true to some extent due to Egypt’s rapid warming, has done little to appease the frustrations of the people.
