At least five people have been killed as severe weather continued to batter Tunisia for a second consecutive day, forcing authorities to close schools in 15 governorates and causing widespread disruption to transport, particularly in the capital.
Educational institutions, including schools and secondary institutes, were closed in Tunis, where metro services were also disrupted due to flooding, according to media.
The Tunisian prime ministry said classes were suspended across 15 governorates in northern, eastern, and western Tunisia as heavy rainfall persisted and weather conditions deteriorated. The suspension applies to all public and private educational and training institutions, including universities and nurseries.
The affected governorates include El Kef, Beja, Jendouba, Siliana, Bizerte, Nabeul, Zaghouan, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, Sfax, Tunis, Ariana, Ben Arous, and Manouba.
Civil protection authorities said a body was recovered in the coastal town of El Haouaria in northeastern Tunisia, raising the flood related death toll to five. Four people were reported killed a day earlier in the eastern city of Moknine.
Tunisia’s National Guard said several roads remain closed after wadis overflowed, cutting traffic on key routes including parts of National Road No. 5 near Majaz al Bab, roads linking Majaza and Kalaat Senan, and access routes to El Qnissa village in the Takelsa area.
Meanwhile, search operations are ongoing for four fishermen missing after their boat capsized off the coast of Monastir. Local officials said five fishermen had departed from the port of Teboulba on Monday morning before sudden and severe weather caused their vessel to overturn.
One fisherman survived and managed to reach the shore of Qurayyat Island, around 15 kilometres off the Monastir coast, while efforts continue to locate the remaining four, according to media.
Meteorological authorities said heavy rainfall affected large parts of the country from Tuesday into Wednesday morning, with the highest recorded levels reaching 188 millimetres in Beni Khalled, 140 millimetres in Menzel Bouzelfa, and 110 millimetres in Bou Mhel.