Tajik Energy Ministry spokesman Nozir Yodgori confirmed on 24 November that a complete power blackout has struck northern Sughd province after a cutoff of electricity and gas supplies from neighboring Uzbekistan. Yodgori also warned that a steep reduction in the water level of the Norak reservoir threatens to lead to a new energy crisis in Tajikistan within two months. He added that although electricity rationing has been introduced in the region, limiting daily electricity to just three hours, the country still needs some $90 million to cover its energy shortfall. The cut in power supplies from Uzbekistan is reportedly linked to stalled negotiations in Tashkent between Tajik energy officials and Uzbek suppliers. (Asia-Plus)