BAGHDAD, July 9 (Reuters): In the sweltering summer heat, some Iraqis plunged into the polluted Tigris river in the capital to cool off while many blamed the United States for not providing enough power to cool their baking homes.
Temperatures in Baghdad regularly soar to 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) or above in July and August.
Electric-powered fans, air conditioning and fridges are essential for staying fresh during the annual heat wave.
"Since they (the Americans) came, we have been suffering from a power shortage...In the worst days of Saddam when the whole country was besieged we didn't suffer this," said housewife Mona Gumeily, fanning herself at home during one of many power cuts.
"We can't change the fact that Iraq is a hot country, especially in July and August, but at least with power we can drink cold water," she said.
Struggling with security worries and massive neglect, the now defunct U.S.-led occupying authority failed to deliver on a promise to raise capacity in the power sector in June to 6,000 megawatts (MW).
Iraqi officials say capacity remains short of that level, but even 6,000 MW is below what Iraq needs to ensure a steady supply of electricity to homes, offices and factories.
officials say attacks by insurgents have hindered their reconstruction plans.
"They (Americans) have the money and also the capabilities to fix the power (sector).
Why they are not doing that? Simply because they don't care," Walid Hamad said as he closed his ice cream store in Baghdad where the power was also out.
"How can I sell ice cream with no power to run the freezer? I bought a generator but it can't run all day...I am losing money," he said.
