Heavy rainfall brought significant portions of Tunis to a halt on Thursday, inundating streets and residences while trapping commuters and interrupting electricity and internet connectivity. The Greater Tunis area, home to approximately three million residents, has experienced recurrent flooding in recent years, with this event occurring just months after destructive January storms that resulted in multiple fatalities and extensive property damage.
Although the National Institute of Meteorology had issued advance warnings regarding locally intense thunderstorms capable of overwhelming drainage systems and causing power outages, the decision to suspend classes was announced with little notice. As precipitation intensified, parents rushed to educational institutions to retrieve their children, contributing to severe traffic congestion across the capital.
Online footage circulating during the incident depicted submerged roadways, vehicles abandoned in rising waters, and apparent electrical infrastructure igniting. Residents also reported widespread power and connectivity failures alongside water intrusion into homes.
Fatma, a 35-year-old Tunis resident, described how conditions deteriorated rapidly as she attempted to return home. “At about 4pm, the road became almost unrecognisable,” she told Al Jazeera. “The tunnel leading to Bab Saadoun was completely closed because of the rain.” She noted that many individuals were stranded for hours without public transit, observing several cars that filled with water and broke down.
“Every season, the same thing happens. Roads close and traffic comes to a complete standstill. All the drains start overflowing with waste,” Fatma added, highlighting the repetitive nature of the crisis.
Intissar, a 33-year-old resident of the Lafayette district, expressed frustration that Tunisia has grown accustomed to such disasters, noting that flooding occurs even during years with minimal rainfall. She attributed the issue partly to local authorities failing to perform preventive maintenance during the summer, but also acknowledged citizen responsibility for dumping waste that blocks drainage channels.
During an August government meeting, officials authorized the cleaning of drainage networks and waterways, announcing that 29 flood-protection projects are currently underway nationwide. However, residents like Fatma argued that the state lacks a long-term vision, leaving both authorities and citizens caught off-guard by the recurring events.
The flooding poses a logistical challenge as Tunis prepares for a national march scheduled for Saturday at 5pm. Organizers are calling for the release of four activists detained in connection with the Al-Soumoud Flotilla, with forecasts indicating rain will persist through the demonstration. The disruption coincides with the return of students to schools and universities, further intensifying pressure on already strained transportation infrastructure.
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