Soaring temperatures are baking much of the Middle East this week, wreaking havoc on the lives of millions in the region, where chronic power shortages compound the unforgiving climate.
From Cairo and Beirut to Baghdad and Amman, residents are showing hallmark ingenuity to deal with the heat: escaping to the cooler Lebanese mountains, jumping in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Iraq or putting together makeshift air conditioners.
In Egypt, some of the usually bustling streets of the capital were eerily quiet on Thursday with temperatures at their highest in at least five years, 43°C.
Beaches in sea resorts along the Mediterranean and the Red Sea had only a small fraction of the holidaymakers who flock there each summer, with most electing to stay indoors and switch on air conditioners.
The resultant high consumption of electricity led to power cuts in some resorts along the Mediterranean.
Authorities in Egypt, Jordan and Iraq have advised people to stay indoors and keep themselves hydrated.
“I am stressed out,” said a 70-year-old mother of three who lives in a densely populated central Cairo district. “The power went out at dawn and only came back at 10.30 this morning. I woke up the very moment my fan stopped whirring.”
Making things worse for Egypt’s 100 million people, temperatures are not expected to drop soon.
“The heatwave will stay with us for at least another week,” said Director of the Centre for Weather Analysis and Forecasts at the Egyptian Meteorological Authority, Mahmoud Shaheen. “Temperatures are 5-7°C, higher than normal for this time of year.”
In Iraq, where some of the world’s hottest weather has been recorded, the temperature of 50°C were registered in the south of the country. The capital, Baghdad, reached 46°C on Thursday, weather service spokesman Amir Al Jabiri said.
Temperatures are not forecast to drop before Sunday, he told The National.
That each and every summer brings searing heat has not equipped Iraqis to cope, particularly in recent years when lengthy power cuts – some lasting up to 15 hours – have made summer much more difficult to bear.
Iraqis, often praised for their resilience, carry on with their lives.
Ice cream, watermelon and cold drinks vendors make a crisp business roaming the streets and junctions of Baghdad. Shopkeepers in some parts of the city set up makeshift showers on pavements for anyone to use. Men and boys across much of the country swim in the Tigris or the Euphrates to cool off.
Iraqis with deep pockets head to the temperate climate of the mostly mountainous Kurdish region in the north. Mohammed Hassan, 51, a businessman from Baghdad, is one of those.
“We can’t cope with this temperature, the power cuts and high humidity. So, I bought an apartment in Dahouk [in Kurdistan] to stay there during the hottest months of summer,” said Mr Hassan, a father of three, who escaped there last month.
“Here, we can have fun visiting the resorts and going up the mountains.”
In Jordan, the temperature in the farming region of Ghor, south of the Dead Sea, soared to 45°C on Thursday. Amman, the capital, registered a peak of 37°C; too high for a city that sits 700 metres above sea level, but high enough to trigger power cuts due to heavy demand.
Thursday’s heat in the capital forced orthodontist Rania Ali to call her patients to cancel their appointments because of the power cuts.
“There has been no electricity since the morning. I called the electricity company and they said they cannot promise that power will be back today,” Dr Ali said.
Jordan’s power monopoly, the Jordan Electricity Company, said the total load on the network across the country was 3,200 megawatts on Thursday morning, compared with an all-time high of 3,630 megawatts last year.
In Beirut, temperatures this week hovered around the mid-30s but the city’s notorious humidity – close to 60 per cent on Thursday – made it feel more like 37°C. Power cuts, for years part of life in Lebanon, have made the heat far more difficult to cope with.
The cash-strapped national electricity company, Electricite du Liban, produces only a few hours of power a day. Normally, private generators would kick in but they are struggling because of a fuel shortage.
One popular solution is to buy an electric fan, but they remain prohibitively expensive for a large part of the impoverished population.
Columnist and podcast producer Ronnie Chatah bought one in May in anticipation of the heat and power cuts.
He has cobbled together a makeshift air-conditioning unit by placing frozen water bottles in front of the fan. “Otherwise, it’s a living hell,” he said.
Renewable energy solutions are even less affordable than electric fans.
A resident from France told The National he had received a quote to install solar panels on the roof of his office for $5,800. He declined, saying it would be easier to leave Lebanon.
Walid Kawas, 36, a taxi driver from Beirut, said he takes his wife and daughter for a drive with the air conditioning switched on.
But using the car to cool off brings Mr Kawas another problem: Lebanon’s growing fuel shortage, which causes long queues outside filling stations.
“But it’s good. At least, I have the AC on while I wait.”
Sunniva Rose in Beirut, Sinan Mahmoud in Baghdad and Khaled Yacoub Oweis in Amman contributed to this report
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
RESULTS
5pm: Watha Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Dalil De Carrere, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Pharitz Al Denari, Bernardo Pinheiro, Mahmood Hussain
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Oss, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
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Winner: AF Almajhaz, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
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Winner: AF Lewaa, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud.
Europe's top EV producers
- Norway (63% of cars registered in 2021)
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- Luxembourg (10%)
Source: VCOe
Autumn international scores
Saturday, November 24
Italy 3-66 New Zealand
Scotland 14-9 Argentina
England 37-18 Australia
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
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Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
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ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
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FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
SCHEDULE
December 8: UAE v USA (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 9: USA v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 11: UAE v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 12: UAE v USA (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 14: USA v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 15: UAE v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
All matches start at 10am
RESULTS
6.30pm: Meydan Sprint Group 2 US$175,000 1,000m
Winner: Ertijaal, Jim Crowley (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap $60,000 1,400m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Handicap $160,000 1,400m
Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.15pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group 3 $200,000 2,000m
Winner: Folkswood, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile Group 2 $250,000 1,600m
Winner: Janoobi, Jim Crowley, Mike de Kock
9.25pm: Handicap $125,000 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
The biog:
From: Wimbledon, London, UK
Education: Medical doctor
Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures
Favourite animals: All of them
England XI for second Test
Rory Burns, Keaton Jennings, Ben Stokes, Joe Root (c), Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes (wk), Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jack Leach, James Anderson
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Ibrahim's play list
Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute
Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc
Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar
His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach
Also enjoys listening to Mozart
Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz
Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica
Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
