Iraqis flock to indoor pools in Najaf amid severe power outages and plunging temperatures

NAJAF — In an unusual winter trend, indoor swimming pools in Najaf are witnessing an unprecedented surge in visitors despite low temperatures. The reason isn’t leisure, but rather the search for hot water amid prolonged power outages, which have left many homes without functioning water heaters.

Electricity supply in Najaf has dwindled to just one hour of power for every six hours of blackouts, leaving residents to seek alternatives for basic hygiene. Cameras from 964media captured scenes at the Millennium Pool in Al-Muthanna neighborhood, where young men gathered in jacuzzis and saunas. The facility reported a 100% increase in visitors, including local residents and students from dormitories. Entry costs 5,000 dinars (about $3.40) for swimming, with an additional 5,000 dinars for a traditional massage session.

Mushtaq Tariq, the manager of Millennium Pool, explained: “Due to prolonged power cuts, our pool and bath facilities have seen a remarkable increase in visitors compared to previous periods. Previously, we averaged around 75 customers per day, but these days, we are seeing more than one hundred and fifty visitors daily. The entry fee is only 5,000 dinars per person, and with massage services included, it totals 10,000 dinars per customer.”

Massage therapist Ismail Kazem highlighted the shift in clientele: “We’re welcoming larger numbers of visitors these days, mostly young people and students, especially those from dormitories. With power outages and the lack of hot water in homes and student apartments, people are turning to public swimming pools. We provide massage, sauna, steam rooms, and therapeutic treatments, and these facilities have become essential for many.”

For student Hussein Imad, the pool has become a refuge from daily struggles: “For days, we’ve been studying and living under mobile phone lights. The electricity schedule has been reduced to six hours off for every one hour on. It’s impossible to complete daily tasks or run water heaters. That’s why we regularly come to public pools for bathing. We’re about to enter 2025, yet we live in primitive conditions, relying on basic tools to meet our daily needs. Electricity is essential, and those responsible must address this issue immediately.”

Public sector worker Tahir Mohammed shared his frustration over rising costs: “With constant power outages, I can’t get hot water at home, and after a long day of work, I have no option but to come to the public pool. I’m a simple [public sector] employee, and paying ten thousand dinars daily for pool access strains my monthly budget, but I have no other choice.”

Meanwhile, Faisal Al-Badri, another resident, emphasized the social aspect of pool visits: “We visit this pool regularly, sometimes for relaxation and leisure instead of sitting in cafes. Today, we’re here because the electricity is out, the weather is freezing, and our home water heaters are useless. Public pools are the only option for a warm bath.”

Iraq has long struggled with electricity shortages, heavily relying on Iranian gas imports to fuel its power plants. Recent halts in Iranian gas supplies have exacerbated the situation, leading to major power losses. The Ministry of Electricity reported a loss of 8,700 megawatts from the national grid due to a 15-day suspension of Iranian gas supplies for maintenance purposes. This disruption has intensified electricity shortages across the country, sparking public outcry and street protests, particularly in the capital, Baghdad.