The Iranian government ordered a partial public shutdown on Wednesday in response to an intense heatwave that pushed temperatures beyond 40 degrees Celsius (104°F), putting significant pressure on the country’s power grid.

In the capital, Tehran, public offices and banks were closed. However, for many private business owners, it was business as usual despite the searing heat.

The government declared an official holiday for public sector employees in eight of Iran’s 31 provinces, including Tehran, aiming to conserve electricity.

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This decision effectively split the city into two contrasting scenes — quiet, closed government buildings on one side, and bustling private shops and malls where air conditioners continued running.

For some residents, the surprise day off came as a welcome break. Since Thursday is already part of Iran’s regular weekend, the closure led to a mass departure from the capital.

Iranian media reported heavy traffic on roads heading north, as many sought relief from the heat in the cooler Caspian coastal provinces of Mazandaran and Gilan.

Using public shutdowns to tackle extreme summer temperatures has become a recurring approach for Iran. Similar closures took place in 2023 and again in July 2024 to help protect infrastructure during heatwaves.

While officials urged people to stay indoors, conditions were even harsher in other parts of the country. In the southern city of Borazjan, temperatures soared to a blistering 50 degrees Celsius (122°F) last Sunday.