Iraq sizzles as blackouts hit Temperatures hit 52ºC By AFP - Jul 04,2021 - Last updated at Jul 04,2021 Iraqi youths buy ice blocks at a factory in Sadr City, east of the capital Baghdad, on Friday, amid power outages and soaring temperatures (AFP photo) BAGHDAD — When the mercury soared to 52ºC this week in Iraq, Ali Karrar placed his baby for a couple of minutes in the fridge. But when the power went off on Thursday night across oil-rich Iraq, people were left at a loss as to how to escape the torrid heat. Those with the means hooked up fridges, air conditioning units and fans to private generators , but not Karrar, who lives in the town of Al Hillah, as well as others across the impoverished and rural south.