Buenos Aires Hit By Heat Wave: Thousands Of Homes Experience Power Outages, Residents Are Asked To Save Water

Ilustrasi Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Wikimedia Commons / Mike D)

JAKARTA - Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, was hit by a massive power outage on Tuesday that left thousands of homes without power, amid a heatwave that sent temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), some of the highest in the world.

Electrical distributors Edenor and Edesur, both reported power outages as high temperatures resulted in a spike in energy demand, to cool homes and businesses.

The National Electricity Regulatory Agency (ENRE) said the Edenor power outage had affected 700.000 customers in the Buenos Aires area. About 43.400 Edesur customers were left without power after a high-voltage line failure hit two of its substations.

Meanwhile, AySA, which provides drinking water in Buenos Aires, asked residents to optimize water use as blackouts also affected its purification system.

High temperatures are expected to continue throughout the week with peaks approaching 40 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Agency (SMN).

"SMN issued a warning in anticipation of an extreme heatwave this week, with temperatures that could reach 41°C in the concession area," Edesur wrote in an email to his client, quoted by Reuters on January 12.

"We are working to strengthen our network in the face of increasing demand," the letter continued.