‘Homes turned into ovens’: Millions of Yemenis swelter amid heat, blackouts

Article excerpt

Yemen's power grid has collapsed under the weight of a brutal heatwave, leaving millions without electricity to run air conditioning or refrigeration. Temperatures soar past 50°C (122°F) as blackouts stretch for days, transforming homes into unbearable spaces and spoiling food in a country already devastated by years of conflict. Hospitals struggle without backup generators, schools shutter, and water systems fail. The crisis exposes Yemen's crumbling infrastructure, fuel shortages, aging generators, and the economic collapse tied to the ongoing war have crippled the nation's ability to keep the lights on when people need them most.