Heatwave Alert: Only Four Tunisian Governorates Spared High Heat Warning

Tunisia is bracing for extreme heat as the National Meteorology Institute (INM) places 20 out of 24 governorates on high alert for Monday and Tuesday. These regions are expected to endure scorching temperatures, accompanied by sirocco winds and isolated thunderstorms, particularly over western highlands in the afternoons. Only four governorates, Kasserine, Sousse, Monastir, and Mahdia, remain on ordinary alert, according to the INM's vigilance map.

The INM has identified children, the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses or mental health conditions, those on continuous medical treatment, and people living alone as the most vulnerable to the heatwave's risks. To mitigate potential dangers, the institute has issued a series of clear instructions for the public.

Residents are urged to drink water frequently, even without feeling thirsty, and to cool themselves with damp towels or showers. Crucially, people should avoid going outside between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The INM also recommends covering heads when outdoors and spending two to three hours daily in air-conditioned spaces. Athletes and outdoor workers are advised to exercise extreme caution. In case of feeling unwell, the INM stresses the importance of contacting a doctor or calling the emergency number 198.