Mellègue Dam valve rupture contained, authorities say

A valve rupture at the Mellègue dam in Jendouba on Wednesday evening caused continuous water outflow, alarming local residents. However, authorities have moved to reassure the public, stating that the situation is now completely under control. Hatem Ayachi, president of the regional agriculture union, explained on Thursday that the technical incident was confined to the upper valve, sparing the lower one. This crucial distinction prevented major water disaster and devastating floods for nearby communities and agricultural lands. The volume of water stored in the affected section has been largely depleted, significantly reducing the risk over the hours. This incident, however, has reignited discussions about the aging hydraulic infrastructure in the region. Ayachi noted that the Mellègue dam has reached the end of its theoretical operational life and no longer guarantees long-term safe use. Fortunately, a solution is imminent. The construction of a new replacement dam, dubbed "Mellègue 2," is 98% complete. Ayachi confirmed that this modern infrastructure is on the verge of entering service, allowing authorities to permanently decommission the old Mellègue site soon and ensure lasting security for the entire valley.