Tunis [Tunisia], September 1: Tunisia is facing another spell of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 49.8 degrees Celsius (121.6 Fahrenheit) in the central city of Kairouan on August 27.
The heat has coincided with electricity cuts and water shortages in parts of the country, while doctors have warned of mounting pressure on emergency departments. The electricity and water disruptions are linked in some areas, but they have different underlying causes.
Kairouan reached 49.8°C on August 27, according to the Tunisian Observatory for Weather and Climate. The observatory said Kairouan was the second-hottest location among those monitored worldwide that day, behind Mehran in Iran, which reached 50°C. Six Tunisian cities were among the world's 20 hottest monitoring stations. The extreme temperatures have pushed up electricity demand as households and businesses use more air conditioning. Water demand also rises during periods of extreme heat, adding pressure to a system already facing longer-term shortages.
Source: Qatar Tribune
