Brazil Finds Cause of Blackout

According to BBC Americas, Brazilian government claims that cause of the 5 hour long blackout was from a severe storm.

Yesterday up to a fifth of the population of Brazil was without electric power- one of the worst in recent years.

The Government states that the strong winds, heavy rain and lightning brought down a power line in Brazil, cutting two other lines and ultimately shutting the important Itaipu dam, which is the source to most of the countries power.

Even neighboring Paraguay was also briefly in the dark.

The Itaipu hydroelectric plant, which supplies 20% of Brazil's power, was initially under suspicion. However, officials there said the facility was up and working normally.

Although the government defends their power grid, critics are beginning to question their ability to power the olympics in 2016.

Photo Source: BBC News, 2009