Tunisia’s Extreme Heat Crisis Deepens as Power Cuts Disrupt Water Supplies

Tunisia is facing a growing strain on essential services as extreme heat pushes temperatures close to 50°C, driving electricity demand, disrupting water supplies and putting pressure on hospitals. On August 27, temperatures reached 49.8°C in Kairouan , one of Tunisia’s hottest cities. The figure was close to the country’s national record of 50.3°C , recorded in 2021. Six Tunisian cities were among the world’s 20 hottest monitored locations that day. The extreme heat has sharply increased electricity consumption as households and businesses rely heavily on air conditioning. The Tunisian Compa

Tunisia is facing a growing strain on essential services as extreme heat pushes temperatures close to 50°C, driving electricity demand, disrupting water supplies and putting pressure on hospitals. On August 27, temperatures reached 49.8°C in Kairouan, one of Tunisia’s hottest cities. The figure was close to the country’s national record of 50.3°C, recorded in 2021. Six Tunisian cities were among the world’s 20 hottest monitored locations that day. The extreme heat has sharply increased electricity consumption as households and businesses rely heavily on air conditioning. The Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG) has introduced rotating power cuts in several areas to protect the stability of the electricity network. Officials said demand may have reached a record 6,000 megawatts in July. The outages are also affecting water supplies. Some water-distribution systems depend on electrically powered pumping stations, meaning power interruptions can disrupt the movement of drinking water. On August 24, an electricity interruption stopped the Kerker pumping station, affecting water supplies in parts of the Mahdia and Sfax governorates. However, Tunisia’s water crisis predates the current heatwave. The country has faced years of water scarcity, drought and infrastructure challenges, with the current electricity disruptions adding further pressure. Hospitals are also struggling with the effects of extreme temperatures. The Tunisian Organization of Young Doctors reported a sharp increase in heatstroke-related deaths and hospital admissions. Its head said 13 people died within 24 hours at Habib Bourguiba Hospital in Sfax, although this was not an official nationwide death toll. The Health Ministry reported 633 heatwave-related cases requiring medical care between July 1 and August 29. President Kais Saied has alleged that some disruptions were caused by deliberate sabotage, but this remains a claim. Documented technical problems also explain some outages. With temperatures remaining high, Tunisia faces continued pressure on its electricity and water systems, while public frustration over essential services is growing.