Gulf | Bahrain
Power failure throws traffic and life out of gear in Bahrain
The spectre of another electricity blackout was raised in Bahrain following a massive power cut that affected at least one fifth of the country during the hottest hours of the day.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 12:15 June 24, 2008
Manama: The spectre of another electricity blackout was raised in Bahrain following a massive power cut that affected at least one fifth of the country during the hottest hours of the day.
Manama's vital Diplomatic Area and vivacious Hoora neighbourhood and several towns in the north, centre and south of the country came to a standstill that was ominously reminiscent of the national blackout on August 23, 2004, when Bahrain was crippled for hours by a national power cut.
Electricity and Water Authority chief executive Majid Al Awadhi attributed the electricity failure on Monday to malfunctions at the privately-owned Hidd power plant.
"At 1.55pm gas turbine 22 at the Hidd Power Plant that feeds the electricity transfer of the authority with 130 mega watts was lost, followed minutes later by steam turbine 28, which feeds the authority's network with 170mw," Al Awdhi said in a press statement. The losses affected about 20 per cent of the kingdom.
Traffic in several locations had to be manned by policemen under the scorching heat, following the failure of dozens of traffic lights and the outpour of thousands of cars during the rush hour.
Two universities suspended their courses while employees at the Northern Municipality were sent home. Power was restored by 5pm.
Power failures are frequent during the summer, but usually not as widespread as the cut on Monday. The worst occurred in 2004 when the "Dark Monday" power blackout left most of the people sweltering in soaring temperatures and prompted high-level investigations.
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