Tunisia is grappling with the aftermath of record rainfall, the heaviest seen in 70 years, which has triggered devastating floods across the nation. The extreme weather has tragically resulted in fatalities and brought daily life to a standstill.
At least four people have died as a direct consequence of the torrential downpours and subsequent flooding. Schools and universities across 15 governorates, including the capital, Tunis, were forced to close their doors on Tuesday. A government official described the situation as “extremely difficult” in several regions, while some diplomatic missions have temporarily suspended operations.
According to the National Institute of Meteorology, January has seen “exceptional amounts of rainfall” in areas such as Monastir (center-east), Nabeul (north-east), and Greater Tunis. Rainfall levels in these regions have not been this high since 1950.
A spokesperson for the Civil Protection reported the deaths of four individuals in the city of M’knine, located in the Monastir Governorate. Among the victims was a woman in her fifties who was swept away by the floodwaters. Authorities are urging citizens to exercise extreme caution and vigilance.
Social media platforms are flooded with images of raging torrents inundating streets, with numerous vehicles stranded in the floodwaters. Water levels have reached the height of doorways in some areas. The heavy rainfall, which began on Monday evening, has continued almost unabated in Tunis and other regions in the central-east.
Both public and private transportation have been severely disrupted, with services completely suspended in certain areas. Officials report that the floodwaters have submerged streets and homes, inundated vehicles, and disrupted daily life in multiple governorates. Emergency teams are struggling to cope with the scale of the flooding.
Civil Protection teams have indicated that several areas have become isolated due to the high water levels, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods. The transport company in the capital, Tunis, has announced the suspension of metro and suburban rail services in the northern suburbs, as well as bus routes in the southern suburbs. Several bus routes have been temporarily diverted until the water levels recede.
The company stated that these measures were implemented in response to the ongoing heavy rainfall. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working to provide assistance to affected communities.
