Three Central Asian countries report simultaneous power blackouts

ALMATY: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan all reported blackouts on Friday, which Kazakhstan’s energy ministry said had been caused by a “sudden change in the power flow” from the Central Asian grid.

The energy ministries of all three countries, whose grids are interconnected, confirmed outages. They said work was under way to restore power.

Reuters reporters in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, and Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek reported power cuts. Local media in Tajikistan reported outages in the capital, Dushanbe, and second city Khujand.

Electricity shortages are common in Central Asia, where traditional reliance on hydropower has posed problems as climate change leaves hydroelectric stations vulnerable to water shortages.