Diyala Industries Struggle with Power Cuts, Rising Summer Heat

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Industries in Diyala province are facing mounting pressure as summer temperatures rise, with electricity cuts and soaring production costs straining the industrial sector, according to union officials. Thaer el-Sultani, chairman of the Diyala branch of the Workers' Unions Federation, said the electricity crisis has directly affected industrial output. He noted that power cuts lengthen noticeably during summer months, forcing many facilities to rely on private generators to maintain operations, which has driven up production costs significantly. Ibrahim Ali, a worker at a plastic products factory in the province, said generator use has become essential to keep production running. He described how heat in some workshops makes daily labor even more demanding during summer, yet workers continue to show up to support their families. The sector remains under strain due to infrastructure gaps and security conditions, according to the sources.