Tunisia recorded its hottest summer since national temperature records began in 1950, according to the country’s meteorological authority.
The summer of 2026 brought repeated heatwaves across the North African country.
Temperatures reached as high as 49.7°C in some areas.
The extreme heat also came during a period of water shortages and electricity cuts.
Tunisia breaks summer heat record
Tunisia’s National Meteorological Institute said summer 2026 ranked as the hottest since records began.
The average temperature was about 2.9°C higher than the previous record.
July and August were particularly hot.
The institute said the country experienced intense and prolonged heatwaves during both months.
Nighttime temperatures also remained unusually high.
Temperatures reach nearly 50°C
The highest temperature was recorded in Kairouan in central Tunisia.
The city reached 49.7°C in mid-July.
Meanwhile, temperatures reached 49.2°C in the northwestern city of Beja.
Tozeur in southern Tunisia recorded temperatures of up to 48.4°C.
The prolonged heat placed additional pressure on communities and infrastructure.
Heat coincides with water and power cuts
Tunisia also experienced electricity and water disruptions during the summer.
Some electricity cuts lasted for several hours.
The state electricity company, STEG, said load shedding was used to reduce pressure on the power network.
Water supplies were also affected because much of the country’s water distribution depends on electric pumps.
In some areas, shortages of bottled water added to the difficulties.
Concerns over health impact
Authorities have not yet released complete figures on the health effects of the heatwaves.
However, medical groups have reported deaths they believe were linked to the extreme temperatures.
The Tunisian League for Human Rights also documented 23 deaths in prisons during the period.
The organisation cited difficult conditions made worse by high temperatures and overcrowding.
Tunisia’s record-breaking summer adds to concerns about the effects of extreme heat across North Africa.
Scientists have linked increasingly intense heat events to climate change.