Tunisia has been experiencing a second major heatwave since Wednesday, August 26th, 2026, with temperatures soaring to 49 degrees Celsius in parts of the country. The central city of Kairouan recorded 49.8°C, approaching the national record of 50.3°C set in 2021.

The National Meteorological Institute placed most regions on high alert for two days, noting that six Tunisian cities ranked among the world's 20 hottest locations. In response, crowds have flocked to Mediterranean beaches seeking relief, while officials urged residents to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during peak sun hours.

This intense heatwave has coincided with temporary power cuts and water scarcity across much of Tunisia. President Kais Saied, who has ruled with near-total power since 2021, attributed the outages, some lasting more than 10 hours, to "premeditated acts," though he did not specify responsible parties. Much of the country's water supply relies on electric pumps, which are disrupted during these power outages.

Since dismissing the government and suspending parliament in 2021, Saied has increased restrictions on independent media, civil society, and dissenting voices. Dozens of his critics have been prosecuted or jailed, including on terrorism-related charges and under a 2022 law prohibiting "spreading false news."

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