Egypt Daily News – Residents of Giza endured a long, sweltering night after a widespread power outage hit several neighborhoods across the governorate, prompting many to take to the streets in search of relief from oppressive heat and darkness. The blackout, which began around 4 p.m. on Saturday, extended through the night and well into Sunday morning, severely disrupting daily life and essential services.
The power cut was caused by a major technical failure at the Giza-based Geziret El-Dahab power transmission station, according to sources within the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy. The malfunction led to a complete blackout in districts such as El-Mounib, Geziret El-Dahab, and parts of Omraniya, paralyzing infrastructure and sending ripples of inconvenience across the city.
The impact was immediate and widespread. Not only were residential areas plunged into darkness, but the power outage also triggered the shutdown of several water pumping stations, exacerbating the situation. With no electricity to run them, these stations were unable to maintain water supply, adding further strain to households already battling intense summer temperatures.
Amid the outage, the Ministry’s emergency hotline number 121 used by citizens to report electricity issues, was reportedly taken out of service. This left many residents with no formal channel to lodge complaints or seek updates, heightening public frustration and confusion during the prolonged outage.
Eyewitnesses from affected areas described entire families gathering on sidewalks and public spaces, bringing out blankets and chairs to escape the stifling heat trapped inside unventilated homes. Some streets, dimly lit by candles and mobile phone flashlights, resembled improvised campgrounds, as residents waited in vain for the return of power.
Despite the scale of the disruption, government officials reiterated their commitment to avoiding rolling blackouts or reintroducing planned load-shedding measures, which had previously been used to manage power consumption during peak summer months. Authorities insisted that energy supply for all uses remains a top priority, even as national electricity demand surges under the pressure of seasonal heatwaves.
This latest incident, however, raises concerns about the resilience of Egypt’s electricity infrastructure, especially as temperatures continue to climb. With the summer heat showing no signs of abating, and energy demand reaching critical highs, many residents are questioning whether the power grid can withstand the strain without further outages.
While repairs are reportedly underway at the affected transmission station, no official timeline has been given for the full restoration of services. In the meantime, Giza residents continue to cope with the fallout, hoping for a swift resolution before the next heatwave pushes the system—and their patience—beyond the brink.
