Blackout in Spain and Portugal: from internet to transport, the services that stop without power

According to initial reports, the cause of the blackout that has affected large areas of Spain and Portugal is a serious fault in the transmission infrastructure. Significant disruption has been recorded in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon, with subways stopped, traffic lights off and mobile communications slowed. When a blackout occurs, the impact on daily life is immediate and profound, especially in societies that are completely dependent on electricity like ours. Here is a brief summary of how the lack of energy affects primary services.

What's happening?

The first visible effect concerns telecommunications : although mobile networks are equipped with emergency batteries, their autonomy is limited. In the event of a prolonged interruption, the Internet connection is interrupted almost immediately, because modems and routers stop working, and even telephone calls become difficult. Even emergency numbers, such as 112, can be overloaded.

Transportation is also immediately affected. With traffic lights out, traffic in cities becomes chaotic and dangerous. Subways stop, trains can be delayed or canceled, and airports, although often equipped with generators, still experience slowdowns and disruptions. Elevators get stuck, as do escalators, with the risk of trapping people in public places or apartment buildings.

Although hospitals and healthcare facilities are equipped with backup systems, a widespread and long-lasting blackout puts pressure on the capacity of operating rooms, intensive care units and all those departments that depend on life-saving equipment. Even pharmacies and clinics, without power, are forced to limit or suspend activities.

Another vulnerable sector is water supply . In many urban areas, water distribution relies on electric pumps. Without power, the supply can be interrupted, making it difficult not only to drink but also to provide basic hygiene. Sewerage systems , in the absence of functioning pumping systems, can also suffer.

Finally, retail trade comes to a halt almost immediately. Without electricity, supermarkets cannot maintain the cold chain and, after a few hours, many perishable foods are at risk of being lost. Electronic payment systems go out of service, making it impossible to use credit or debit cards.

The blackout also affects public safety . Dark streets become more dangerous, both for traffic and crime. Home alarm systems, while often equipped with backup batteries, are not designed to last more than a few hours without recharging.

The tips

The longer the blackout, the more profound the repercussions on social and economic life. Understanding these effects helps to underscore the importance of effective emergency plans, both collectively and individually. And for this reason, here are five essential tips for dealing with a blackout:

1. Stay calm and assess the situation. First of all, it is important to stay calm. A blackout can be localized or widespread: checking whether it is limited to your home, your neighborhood or the entire city is essential to decide how to act. Consult local authorities or power companies, if possible, through official sources.
2. Limit your travel. During a blackout, it is advisable to avoid using elevators, which could suddenly stop between floors. Traveling by car also requires particular caution, given the possible absence of street lighting and functioning traffic lights. If possible, it is better to postpone travel or move only if absolutely necessary.
3. Preserve food and water . Open the refrigerator and freezer as little as possible: each opening increases the internal temperature, accelerating the deterioration of food. Ideally, a full freezer can keep the cold for about 48 hours.
4. Provide an alternative source of lighting . Blackouts do not always occur during the day. LED flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, or solar lamps are preferable to candles, which are more risky in the event of domestic accidents. Always have spare batteries available.
5. Limit the use of your phone and electronic devices . During a blackout, your mobile network may be overloaded. Using your phone only for emergencies helps conserve battery power and free up data traffic for those who have urgent needs. Finally, in the event of a general blackout, websites, telephone networks, and social networks will hardly work, so it is advisable to strictly follow the instructions of the authorities.