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Heatwave places record strain on power supply

AMMAN - The Kingdom's power grid on Wednesday registered the highest load ever, 2,200 megawatts, blamed on the scorching temperatures which reached a record 38°C in Amman.

The load on electric power generators increased by around 100MW in comparison with previous days, with demand rising by 5-6 per cent compared to the same period last year, National Electric Power Company Director General Ahmad Hiasat told The Jordan Times yesterday.

A hot and dry air mass, which originated in the Arabian Peninsula, pushed temperatures into the upper 30s as mercury levels rose above their annual average during this time of year by five degrees, according to meteorologists.

"We are expecting output to reach a record 2,300-2,350 megawatts during this summer," Hiasat noted.

Pressure on electric power usually runs high during summer as expatriates return home for vacation while people rely on fans and air-conditioning systems for cooling.

Lina Hamad, a saleswoman at an electric devices store in Ras Al Ain, said that demand for air conditioners has increased over the past two weeks.

"We usually witness a rise in sales when temperatures start going up, but our sales, especially over the past week, more than doubled. We are also selling more fans," Hamad said yesterday.

The hot weather was also good news for shop owners who reported high turnout for water, cold drinks and ice cream.

"People, especially children, tend to buy juice and ice cream during the hot days rather than chocolate or chips which make them thirsty," Ahmad, a cashier at a supermarket in Tlaa Al Ali, told The Jordan Times.

"Our daily sales of [bottled] water and cold drinks have tripled since the summer started," the employee added.

Heatwaves claim thousands of lives each year, killing more people than floods, tornadoes and hurricanes combined.

Health experts urge people during the hot season to drink plenty of water or fruit juice, avoid alcohol, tea or coffee as these can lead to further dehydration, ensure rooms are well-ventilated and take regular cold showers.

Meteorologist Hussein Momani also advised people against going out during the hottest part of the day, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

Momani noted that as of today, temperatures will start subsiding as the hot air mass eases off, adding that mercury levels will return to their averages during this time.

Today, temperatures will range between a high of 33°C during the day and 20°C at night in Amman. A further drop is expected for Friday and Saturday, when temperatures will reach 31°C, dropping to a minimum of 17°C.

By Hana Namrouqa

© Jordan Times 2009