Tunisians tell the story of their summer of shortages

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-07T19:20:27.937Z • Permanent link

Millions of Tunisians have been left reeling from the summer of shortages, a period marked by frequent power cuts, long queues for bottled water, and the destruction of poultry farms by the sweltering heat. According to data from the Tunisian National Meteorological Centre, temperatures soared to a record high of 45 degrees Celsius in July, with temperatures remaining above 40 degrees Celsius for most of the month. This has led to a severe water shortage, with some areas receiving as little as 10% of their usual rainfall.

Tunisia's power grid has been particularly vulnerable to the heat, with a series of power outages affecting major cities across the country. The Tunisian Electricity and Water Transmission Company (STTEP) has attributed the outages to a combination of high temperatures and aging infrastructure. In a statement to the press, STTEP's CEO, Kamel Al-Debei, acknowledged that the company had been working to address the issue, but warned that the impact of the heat wave would be felt for several weeks.

Meanwhile, the Tunisian government has been criticized for its handling of the crisis. Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to take adequate measures to address the shortages, while some have even called for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Hichem Mechichi. However, the government has maintained that it is taking all necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the crisis.

The summer of shortages in Tunisia has significant implications for the country's economy, particularly in the sectors of agriculture and manufacturing. The destruction of poultry farms has led to a shortage of meat, with prices rising by as much as 50% in some areas. This has had a knock-on effect on the country's food supply chain, with many supermarkets and restaurants struggling to source fresh produce.

The crisis has also had a major impact on the country's tourism industry, with many visitors cancelling their trips to Tunisia due to the shortages. According to data from the Tunisian National Tourism Office, bookings for hotels and resorts have fallen by as much as 30% in the past month. This has had a significant impact on the country's economy, with many businesses struggling to stay afloat.

The summer of shortages in Tunisia is part of a broader pattern of climate-related disasters that have affected many countries in recent years. The impact of climate change has been felt across the globe, with more frequent and severe weather events becoming the norm. This has led to a growing recognition of the need for more effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, particularly in the context of water management and energy infrastructure.