What's happened
Heavy rainfall in Tunisia, the worst in over 70 years, has caused severe flooding, resulting in at least five deaths, widespread property damage, and disruptions to daily life. The storm system, Storm Harry, is affecting multiple North African countries, with rescue efforts ongoing.
What's behind the headline?
The flooding in Tunisia underscores the country's vulnerability to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. The record-breaking rainfall, combined with poor infrastructure, has turned urban areas into flood zones, revealing systemic weaknesses. The regional impact of Storm Harry, affecting multiple countries, highlights the increasing frequency of such storms in North Africa. Governments' response, including military rescue operations, will be critical in preventing further loss of life. Long-term, Tunisia must invest in resilient infrastructure and adopt climate adaptation strategies to mitigate future disasters. This event also signals a broader regional climate crisis that will likely intensify, demanding coordinated action across North Africa.
What the papers say
All Africa reports the recent floods and fatalities, emphasizing the record rainfall and infrastructure issues. The New Arab details the regional scope of Storm Harry, affecting 11 countries, and highlights the ongoing rescue efforts and government responses. Al Jazeera and Reuters corroborate the severity of the floods, noting the disruption to daily life and the historic nature of the rainfall. While some sources focus on the immediate disaster, others contextualize the event within regional climate patterns and infrastructure challenges, providing a comprehensive view of the crisis.
How we got here
Tunisia has been experiencing a seven-year drought worsened by climate change, leading to declining water reserves. The recent heavy rains, the most significant since 1950, have overwhelmed outdated drainage systems, causing frequent urban flooding. The storm system, Storm Harry, is impacting several North African nations, compounding regional climate challenges.
Go deeper
- What long-term measures is Tunisia taking to improve flood resilience?
- How is Storm Harry expected to evolve across North Africa?
- What are the regional climate trends contributing to these extreme weather events?
Common question
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What’s the Latest on Flooding in Tunisia?
Recent heavy rainfall in Tunisia has caused severe flooding, leading to fatalities and widespread disruptions. Authorities are actively managing emergency responses to cope with record rainfall levels not seen since 1950. Curious about the current situation, long-term impacts, and global weather trends? Read on for detailed answers to your most pressing questions.
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Why Are North African Floods So Deadly This Year?
Recent heavy rains in North Africa have caused devastating floods, especially in Tunisia. Many wonder what’s behind this surge in flooding and why it’s so deadly. In this page, we explore the causes, compare it to past years, look at other affected countries, and see what rescue efforts are underway. Keep reading to understand why this year's floods are so severe and what’s being done to help.
More on these topics
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Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa, covering 163,610 square kilometres. Its northernmost point, Cape Angela, is also the northernmost point on the African continent.
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Kais Saied is a Tunisian politician, jurist and former lecturer serving as the fifth President of Tunisia since October 2019. He was president of the Tunisian Association of Constitutional Law from 1995 to 2019.