Tunisia is battling a severe heatwave, with temperatures approaching 50°C, placing heavy pressure on the country’s electricity and water systems and increasing the strain on hospitals.
Tunisia is experiencing another period of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 49.8°C in the central city of Kairouan on August 27.
The intense heat has driven electricity demand to record levels as households and businesses increase their use of air conditioners. In response, the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG) has introduced temporary power cuts in several parts of the country to ease pressure on the national grid.
STEG officials said electricity demand may have reached about 6,000 megawatts in July, compared with 5,600MW only days earlier.
The outages have also affected water supplies in some areas because several water facilities rely on electrically powered pumping stations.
On August 24, an electricity interruption reportedly stopped operations at the main Kerker pumping station, disrupting drinking-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 drought, structural water shortages and infrastructure challenges. The current power cuts are therefore worsening an existing water problem rather than being its sole cause.
Hospitals Under Pressure
The extreme temperatures are also putting additional pressure on Tunisia’s healthcare system.
The Tunisian Organization of Young Doctors reported a sharp rise in hospital admissions and deaths linked to heatstroke and extreme temperatures. The group called on authorities to declare a health emergency, saying medical workers were facing severe pressure.
The Health Ministry said 633 people had required medical consultations or healthcare management related to the effects of the heatwave between July 1 and August 29.
The ministry did not provide a nationwide death toll.
Power interruptions are also creating challenges for people who depend on electricity-powered medical equipment at home, including oxygen concentrators.
Bottled Water Supplies Hit
The heatwave and electricity disruptions have also affected bottled-water production.
Factories have faced difficulties maintaining operations during power rationing, while demand for bottled water has increased because of the extreme temperatures. Shortages of raw plastic materials have added to production problems.
Authorities and officials have offered different explanations for the disruptions.
President Kais Saied said on August 27 that investigations had indicated some water and electricity interruptions were caused by deliberate sabotage aimed at creating tension and spreading rumours. He did not identify those allegedly responsible.
However, technical factors have also been documented. STEG has said its rotating power cuts are intended to protect the stability of the electricity network, while water authorities have confirmed that power interruptions can stop pumping stations.
Growing Public Frustration
The repeated interruptions to basic services have increased public frustration and become a political issue.
A protest organised by the Nafas movement in Tunis on August 20 included demands for more reliable access to water and electricity, alongside concerns about living costs and political freedoms.
With temperatures remaining exceptionally high, electricity demand is expected to stay elevated as people continue relying heavily on air conditioning.
The situation highlights the close relationship between Tunisia’s electricity and water systems. While extreme heat is placing immediate pressure on the power grid, Tunisia’s wider water crisis is rooted in longer-term shortages, drought and infrastructure problems.
Further electricity disruptions could worsen access to water, affect refrigeration and create additional difficulties for people dependent on electricity-powered medical equipment.
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