With reporting from Peter Kovessy
A hours-long power outage at the Pearl-Qatar has been attributed to “electric fault” and it is unclear when the problem will be resolved, a spokesperson for island manager UDC has said.
“We have had teams onsite – from Kahramaa and our UDC engineers – since 7am working on the issue and they’re doing everything they can to get the power back,” he added.
The outage appears to have affected residences and businesses in Porto Arabia, Viva Bahriya, Medina Centrale and Qanat Quartier.
Some businesses, such as Caribou Coffee, remain partly open, telling Doha News that they are serving cold coffee and cold sandwiches.
Residents, many of whom were making school runs or going to work, reported not being able to use elevators and said some buildings had been evacuated after fire alarms went off.
Nothing like waking up to NO electricity & finding out its not just you but the whole of the Pearl! #rentday @ThePearlQatar @dohanews
— Rabia (@Rabia_Rashid) March 1, 2016
In Medina Centrale, some said traffic lights were also out of order.
‘Beyond our control’
Many were unable to reach island management, which posted a message on Facebook more than three hours after the power went down, saying:
“As a result of electrical problems beyond our control, The Pearl-Qatar is currently experiencing a power outage. Kahramaa is fully aware of the situation and have given their assurance that their crew are diligently working to restore supply at the soonest.”
A Kahramaa representative told Doha News that the problem may have involved a substation and that it could take an hour to more than two hours to resolve.
@dohanews We apologize for any inconvenience caused, our crew is currently on site& working to restore supply as quickly as possible.
— KAHRAMAA (@kahramaa) March 1, 2016
Have you been affected? Thoughts?
