From Friday, July 19, Tunisia will face an intense heat wave, according to forecasts from the National Institute of Meteorology (INM). Temperatures will largely exceed seasonal normal, reaching up to 46 ° C in certain regions of the interior of the country.
Even the ribs, generally more temperate, will see the mercury climbing beyond 40 ° C. This phenomenon, which should extend at least a few days, is part of a worrying climate dynamic marked by the multiplication of scorching episodes.
This heat wave is caused by a dome of heat of Saharan origin, an anticyclonic system which traps a mass of hot and dry air above the territory. This type of meteorological configuration prevents heat dissipation and accentuates warming on the ground. The nights will also remain very hot, with minimum temperatures rarely lower than 32 ° C, which will make physiological recovery difficult, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
Faced with this situation, the authorities call for vigilance. The Ministry of Health recommends shelter between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., hydrate regularly, wear light clothes and monitor children, the elderly and chronic patients.
The Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG), for its part, is preparing to deal with a strong demand for electricity, due to the massive use of air conditioners, with the risk of punctual overloads of the network.
