22 Oct 2021 | 09:24 AM UTC
Afghanistan: Power disruptions occurring in several areas, including Kabul, as of Oct. 22
Power outages occurring in multiple areas of Afghanistan, including Kabul, as of Oct. 22. Business, transport disruptions likely.
Event
Officials at state-run utility provider Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) report that imported electricity supply to Kabul and multiple other provinces is disrupted as of Oct. 22. The disruptions are due to an explosion that destroyed an electricity pylon in the Qala Murad Beg area of Kabul province late Oct. 21; details regarding the nature of the explosion are unclear. Officials are working to restore electricity. It is unclear when the power supply will be restored, though outages are likely until restoration works end.
Diplomatic missions, government buildings, upscale hotels and restaurants, larger companies, and airports that generally rely on private generators are unlikely to be directly affected by the power outage; however, smaller businesses may be forced to shut down. Traffic disruptions are possible in Kabul as traffic lights may not function in affected parts of the city. Security and water filtration systems dependent on local power infrastructure may also be affected.
Advice
Confirm all business appointments in Kabul and other affected areas, as well as the functioning of security systems. Allow additional time for travel in urban areas, treat any malfunctioning traffic light as a four-way stop, and plan for commercial disruptions.
