BAGHDAD, (AP) – Hundreds of Iraqis young and old have taken to the streets again to protest lengthy power outages in the nation’s south where soaring temperatures have pushed tensions to the boiling point.

Riot police have been called to Monday’s protest in Nasiriyah and sprayed protesters with water hoses to disperse them. Witnesses say protesters threw stones and wooden bars as they rushed toward a local government building before being stopped by police.

The rowdy protest comes two days after a similar demonstration turned violent in the southern port city of Basra. Two people died and two were wounded when police opened fire on the Basra protesters.

The violence has highlighted growing public anger over the lack of basic services in Iraq.