After three days of torrential rain (January 18-20), Tunisia is recovering amidst a landscape of devastation. While these rains were expected to break years of drought, they turned into a disaster, revealing the critical fragility of the country's infrastructure.

A heavy human toll

The severe weather has been deadly. At least five deaths have been reported, mainly in Moknine (Monastir) and Nabeul. Among the victims, a resident of La Goulette was electrocuted while trying to protect his home from rising floodwaters.

At sea, the death toll could rise: of the five crew members of a fishing boat that sank, only one survived by swimming to a nearby island. Four fishermen are still missing.

A country brought to a standstill: logistical chaos

On Wednesday, January 21, daily life remained largely paralyzed, particularly in the northern suburbs of Tunis:

1. Transport: Half of the public transport network is at a standstill. In La Marsa or La Goulette, employees are traveling on foot, risking their safety, on roads without streetlights.
2. Businesses: Only a few establishments remain open. Employees, hampered by tripled commute times, are working extended shifts to cover for their absent colleagues.
3. Precariousness: For the most vulnerable, such as plastic collectors ("berbecha"), stopping is not an option. Despite the danger, some travel dozens of kilometers in the rain to ensure their daily survival.

Anger is simmering: infrastructure and political management are to blame.

While citizen solidarity and the work of firefighters are praised, indignation is growing in the face of the inaction of the authorities.

"The evacuation problem has existed for years. Development projects were stopped after the dissolution of the municipal councils in 2023. The state has not provided any follow-up," denounces Makram, a resident of La Goulette.

On social media, citizens are pointing to several aggravating factors:

1. Outdated networks: Sanitation systems unable to absorb major floods.
2. Lack of maintenance: The accumulation of waste and rubble from illegal construction sites that clog the sewer drains.
3. Uncontrolled urbanization: Urban expansion that no longer respects natural drainage zones.

Official response and persistent risks

In response to the emergency, the army was deployed to reinforce the Civil Protection service for pumping and rescue operations. President Kaïs Saïed visited Ben Arous and Nabeul to assess the extent of the damage.

However, vigilance remains essential: authorities fear further flooding of wadis, as the soil is now saturated with water while residual rainfall is still expected.