Mellègue superior dam situation stable; new dam nearing completion

The situation surrounding the Mellègue superior dam in Tunisia's Kef governorate has stabilized, with no immediate risk of catastrophe following a spillway valve failure. Imed Seddiri, a local representative, reported that an electrical malfunction caused the safety valve, designed to manage floodwaters from Algeria, to become dislodged.

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the incident is due to an electrical malfunction that caused a delay in the safety valve, normally intended to absorb floods from Algeria.

This incident resulted in a substantial water discharge, estimated at 600,000 cubic meters per second at its peak, before subsiding to 400,000 cubic meters per second. The dam reportedly lost approximately 21 million cubic meters of water. However, this volume was successfully redirected to the Sidi Salem dam, which is equipped to handle such quantities. No human casualties or major material damage were reported, though some agricultural lands and olive groves along the riverbank sustained limited damage.

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this quantity was not lost in nature, but redirected to the Sidi Salem dam, judged capable of supporting this volume.

Seddiri highlighted deficiencies in dam maintenance systems, emphasizing the need for enhanced periodic upkeep. Repairing the valve requires significant financial resources, heavy equipment, and specialized technical teams. Meanwhile, the new Mellègue superior dam, constructed by Chinese firms, is in its final stages. Its operational start is anticipated for September, with an estimated irrigation capacity for 12,000 to 13,000 hectares. Seddiri also stressed the importance of maintaining and rehabilitating the older dam to complement the new project.

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the repair of the valve requires significant financial means as well as heavy equipment and specialized technical teams.