A widespread power outage affected numerous districts across Sharjah on Tuesday, disrupting daily life for residents and businesses. The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) confirmed the incident and stated that emergency teams were immediately deployed to identify and resolve the issue. Reports began surfacing around midday, impacting areas from Al Nahda to Kalba, and causing intermittent internet connectivity issues.
The outage, described by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau as an “unforeseen technical issue,” prompted a swift response from authorities. SEWA assured the public that power restoration was underway and expected within four hours, while residents were advised to contact the emergency helpline for updates. Building management companies also relayed information about the main grid failure to their tenants.
Sharjah Power Outage: Restoration Efforts and Impact
The affected areas included densely populated residential neighborhoods like Al Nahda, Al Taawun, and Al Majaz 3, as well as newer developments such as Muweilah, Buhairah Corniche, and Al Zahia. Further reports indicated that the disruption extended to the city of Kalba, demonstrating the breadth of the incident. The cause of the initial failure remained under investigation at the time of reporting.
While the primary outage was unexpected, some residents had received prior notification of planned maintenance. A notice from the Government of Sharjah detailed a scheduled power disconnection in Al Majaz 3 between 8 am and 2 pm, suggesting ongoing infrastructure work in certain areas. However, this scheduled work did not appear to be directly linked to the larger, unforeseen disruption.
Challenges Faced by Residents
The power cut presented practical challenges for many Sharjah residents. Areeba Hashmi, a resident of Al Majaz, recounted having to climb 15 floors after elevators were temporarily disabled. This highlights the difficulties faced by those living in high-rise buildings during such events.
Beyond residential inconvenience, the electricity disruption also impacted internet services. Numerous residents reported sporadic data connectivity, with some speculating that affected telecom towers were contributing to the problem. Reliable internet access is increasingly vital for work, education, and essential services, amplifying the impact of the outage.
Varied Restoration Timelines
Power restoration proceeded in phases, with varying timelines across the emirate. Some areas, like Abu Shagara, experienced only brief interruptions of around 15 minutes. Others, such as Sharjah Sustainable City and Muwaileh, saw power return relatively quickly.
However, significant portions of the city continued to experience difficulties. Aljada remained without power for a considerable period, and areas like Al Majaz 2 reported intermittent supply – power would return briefly before cutting out again. As of late Tuesday afternoon, residents in Al Khan were still reporting a complete lack of electricity. This uneven restoration suggests a complex issue affecting different parts of the grid.
The incident underscores the importance of a resilient utility infrastructure. SEWA has consistently emphasized its commitment to modernization and service continuity, and this event will likely accelerate those efforts. The authority’s quick response and transparent communication were crucial in managing public concern during the outage.
The impact on commercial hubs was also notable, though specific details regarding business disruptions were limited in initial reports. The outage likely affected retail operations, office productivity, and potentially critical infrastructure reliant on a stable power supply. Further assessment is needed to determine the full economic consequences of the incident.
Looking Ahead
SEWA has stated that full power restoration was expected within four hours of the initial reports, and the authority continues to work towards that goal. While power has been restored to many areas, intermittent issues persist in some locations. The focus now shifts to identifying the root cause of the outage and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring official SEWA channels for updates and to report any remaining issues through the emergency helpline.
