Tunisia heatwave hits 49.8C as power cuts disrupt water supplies
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Temperatures reached 49.8°C in Kairouan on August 27, the second-hottest reading worldwide that day. Rotating power cuts by STEG have disrupted water pumping, affecting supplies in Mahdia and Sfax governorates. The heatwave has pushed electricity demand to a record 6,000 megawatts in July.
Key Facts
- Kairouan recorded 49.8°C on August 27, the second-hottest location globally that day behind Mehran, Iran at 50°C.
- STEG introduced rotating power cuts across several regions to protect the electricity system.
- An August 24 power interruption stopped the Kerker pumping station, disrupting water supplies in Mahdia and Sfax governorates.
- Electricity demand may have reached a record 6,000 megawatts in July, up from 5,600MW days earlier.
- Tunisia's national temperature record stands at 50.3°C, set on August 11, 2021.
Extreme Heat
The Tunisian Observatory for Weather and Climate reported Kairouan reached 49.8°C on August 27. Kairouan was the second-hottest monitored location worldwide that day, behind Mehran in Iran at 50°C. Six Tunisian cities ranked among the world's 20 hottest monitoring stations. The reading approached Tunisia's national record of 50.3°C recorded on August 11, 2021.
Power and Water Disruptions
STEG introduced rotating power cuts in several regions to manage pressure on the electricity network. Electricity demand may have reached a record 6,000 megawatts in July, after hitting 5,600MW days earlier. On August 24, an electricity interruption stopped the Kerker pumping station, disrupting drinking-water supplies in Mahdia and Sfax governorates, according to SONEDE. Parts of Tunisia's water-distribution system depend on electrically powered pumping stations, so power cuts can halt water movement.
1 source
Tunisia heatwave hits 49.8C as power cuts disrupt water supplies
