Tunisia – Deadly Floods After Heavy Rain in Central and Northern Areas

Storms and torrential rain have caused flash flooding in parts of Tunisia since Wednesday 17 October. The governorates of Tunis, Sidi Bouzid, Kef, Kasserine and Siliana have all been affected and at least 2 fatalities reported.

This is the secondly deadly flood event in the country in less than 4 weeks. At least 4 people died in flash floods in northern Tunisia in late September.

According to WMO figures, Tunis-Carthage recorded 108.4 mm of rain in 24 hours to early 18 October, 2018. Mean total precipitation for October is 65.5 mm.

Schools have been closed and traffic and transport severely disrupted. The Interior Ministry said that around 50 roads had been cut off in affected parts of the country.

According to AFP news agency, one young person died in Sidi Bouzid Governorate. In the neighbouring governorate of Kasserine, one man died while attempting to cross a flooded wadi (seasonal river).

National Institute of Meteorology in Tunisia reported that some areas of Kasserine Governorate recorded 130 mm of rain and Sidi Bouzid 85 mm of rain in the last 24 hours (to early 18 October).

Institute figures show that heavy rain has affected wider areas of the country. Parts of Nabeul Governorate have recorded 195 mm during in the last 24 hours and Zaghouan Governorate up to 140 mm of rain.

Some heavy rain was also reported in parts of Algeria.

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Flood Summary

Last updated: October 19, 2018
Event
Tunisia, October 2018
Date
October 17, 2018
Type
Flash flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall

Locations

A - Sidi Bouzid Governorate
B - Kasserine
C - Kef
D - Grombalia
E - Tunis
F - Siliana

Magnitude

Rainfall level
59.6 mm in 24 hours
El Kef, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
All figures from WMO
Rainfall level
61.2 mm in 24 hours
Siliana, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
68.1 mm in 24 hours
Bizerte, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
53.2 mm in 24 hours
Tabarka, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
56.7 mm in 24 hours
Jendouba, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
57.3 mm in 24 hours
Beja, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
82 mm in 24 hours
Kelibia, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
108.4 mm in 24 hours
Tunis-Carthage, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
56.1 mm in 24 hours
Nabeul, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
62.0 mm in 24 hours
Monastir-Skanes, Tunisia - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
66 mm in 24 hours
Dellys, Algeria - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
59 mm in 24 hours
Jijel-Port, Algeria - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
54 mm in 24 hours
Constantine, Algeria - October 17 to October 18, 2018
Rainfall level
52 mm in 24 hours
Zaghonan Magrane, Tunisia - October 16 to October 17, 2018

Damages

Fatalities
5 people
October 17 to October 18, 2018
1 fatality in Kasserine, 1 in Sidi Bouzid Governorate, 2 in Kef, 1 in Grombalia