Tunisia floods disrupt capital as heavy rain traps motorists and residents

Recurring floods disrupt daily life in Tunis, raising questions about drainage, transport and flood preparedness.Published On 18 Sep 202618 Sep 2026Tunis, Tunisia – Heavy rain brought parts of Tunisia’s capital to a standstill on Thursday, flooding roads and homes, trapping people in cars and disrupting electricity and internet services.Home to nearly three million people, the Greater Tunis region has faced repeated flooding in recent years. Thursday’s flooding came only months after severe January rains caused widespread disruption across the capital and other parts of the country, leaving several people dead and causing significant damage.Weather warnings had been issued in advance, but the decision to suspend classes in Tunis was announced only shortly before it took effect. Parents rushed to schools to collect their children as the rain intensified and traffic backed up across the capital.Videos shared online showed flooded streets, cars stranded in rising water and what appeared to be power lines catching fire. Residents also reported power and internet cuts and water entering homes.‘The road became almost unrecognisable’Fatma, a 35-year-old employee in Tunis, said the situati...