Tunisia-Rhili:“We have entered season of record water consumption early due to recording of unusual weather phenomena such as Sirocco”

Speaking to Tunisie Numérique, researcher specializing in water resources, Houcine Rhili, that the Ministry of Agriculture was clear in the statement it issued concerning the continued implementation of the periodic water cut-off system, and hence there will be no change to the measures that were taken in 2023.

“As of March 11, the filling rate of the dams reached 37% with quantities which do not surpass 864 million m³. The climb in temperatures means that the current period is warmer than normal and it has caused a phenomenon of evapotranspiration of water planned for green areas,” explains Rhili.

He added: “In the governorate of Jendouba, farmers desire to obtain irrigation water from the Sidi Salem dam to preserve large crops hit hard by the drop in rainfall during the second half. of the month of March”.

Rhili confirmed that the season of record water consumption had also entered before the usual time, and this was due to the recording of unusual weather phenomena such as “Sirocco” and registering a temperature of 37 degrees last Monday.

In the same context, he pointed out that the periodic cutting off of drinking water will continue, at least for the 14 states involved with drinking water from dams, while waiting for supplementary rainfalls to fall in the coming days that may contribute to saving the agricultural season…

Nevertheless, in terms of the general water situation, there is no notable change, as there is an increase of only 100 million cubic meters compared to last year, in exchange for the approaching season of large consumption and a good tourist season.