Tunisia puts most governorates on high heat alert as temperatures surge

The National Meteorology Institute (INM) has placed 21 of Tunisia's governorates under the highest heat alert for Saturday 18 July 2026, leaving only Médenine, Tataouine and Kasserine outside the warning zone. Ten governorates – Béja, Jendouba, Le Kef, Siliana, Zaghouan, Kairouan, Sidi Bouzid, Gafsa, Tozeur and Kébili – are on orange vigilance, indicating a high‑risk situation. Forecasts call for maximum temperatures between 42 °C and 48 °C, with peaks of up to 48 °C in the far south, driven by a strong sirocco.

Health authorities warn that vulnerable groups – children, the elderly, chronically ill, mentally ill and those on regular medication – face heightened risk of heatstroke. Recommended precautions include regular hydration, using wet towels or showers, limiting outdoor activity between 12 h and 16 h, and seeking medical help for any symptoms such as body temperature above 40 °C, rapid heartbeat, nausea or loss of consciousness.

The extreme heat is also stressing Tunisia’s water supply. Over one million cubic metres of water evaporate daily, aggravating pressure on reservoir levels and causing intermittent disruptions to piped water, especially where electricity outages affect pump stations. Some governorates, such as Zaghouan and Siliana, have seen temporary improvements, while others continue to face shortages.