Afghanistan: Power disruptions reported in Kabul and nearby areas from June 22

Event

Officials at state-run utility provider Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) have reported power disruptions in Kabul and nearby provinces of eastern Afghanistan from June 22 caused by intense fighting between security forces and Taliban militants in and around Khenjan, Baghlan Province. Militants have apparently destroyed or damaged transmission towers supporting power lines bringing electricity from Uzbekistan. Officials have warned that Kabul and nearby areas are likely to experience intermittent outages for at least three days. Intensified fighting in parts of northern and eastern Afghanistan may delay repairs.

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.