A large part of Almaty, economic capital of Kazakhstan, was without electricity, as well as the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, and that of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek.

A spokesman for the Kyrgyz ministry of energy stated that these cuts were due to "an accident affecting the regional energy network", without providing further details. As well the Uzbek ministry of energy said in a statement that the incident was related to an accident on the Kazakhstan grid.

According to media reports, Manas International Airport in Bishkek had to turn to a backup power source.

"The airport is operating (...) but not at full capacity," the airport said in a statement quoted by local media, adding that it could still accommodate planes. But the check-in was suspended for some flights from the Kyrgyz capital.

Also in Bishkek, media outlets reported that the power cuts had shut down pumping stations, affecting the distribution of running water.

Last autumn, several Central Asian countries had already experienced major power cuts, illustrating the dilapidated and interdependent nature of the electricity networks in this region.