Record heatwave hits North Africa in June, power grids collapse in Tunisia and Libya

Column: Heatstroke By: Mirco Keilberth

In Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya, temperatures rose to up to 50 degrees Celsius in June. The power went out, and entire economic sectors faced bankruptcy.

Forest fire in Bordj Okhriss, Algeria, on July 23. Photo: Farouk Batiche/dpa

The most severe spring storms in decades had once again highlighted one of the greatest challenges of our time in North Africa – climate change. Along the entire coast, flash floods devastated fields and caused severe damage to the tourism industry.

But the disaster, which killed more than 1,000 migrants in the Mediterranean and dozens of people on land, had at least one positive side effect: The nearly empty reservoirs in northeastern Tunisia, after seven years of drought, were almost full again in June.

For the first time in a long while, the tourism industry seemed to manage without the sometimes hours-long summer shutdown of the water supply.

When climate researchers pointed out in June the consequences of this year's very strong El Niño – the warming of tropical Pacific waters – authorities in Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia waved it off. The completion of several solar parks and record-breaking water reserves meant they were prepared even for an announced extremely hot summer, they said.

Heatwave with up to 50 Degrees in June

At the end of June, unprecedented heat reached the southern Mediterranean. Many companies and ministries shortened their working hours. Schools are closed anyway between July and September, as temperatures over 40 degrees are now almost the norm.

But because so many people stayed home at actually 50 degrees and turned their air conditioners up full blast, the power grids collapsed.

• First, the Libyan capital Tripoli was in the dark for almost eight hours on July 5. That was enough time for the refrigerated food in shops and hotels to spoil.
• To prevent a similar total blackout, the state Tunisian electricity provider Steg decided on a series of shutdowns in individual neighborhoods. This happened without notice, and often the power was out for up to half a day.
• In hospitals, patients' ventilators stopped because emergency generators had not been maintained.
• On fish markets, there was no ice to cool the goods.

On the holiday island of Djerba, which was booked to the last bed, guests faced half-empty buffets because refrigerators had been irreparably damaged by fluctuating voltage in the power grid. Guests sat in hotel rooms without cooling at up to 50 degrees. And then, in many Tunisian tourist zones, the water pumps also failed – and with them, the water supply.

Apocalyptic Wildfire in Tunisia

In northern Tunisia, the next catastrophe drove visitors to the beach: Within sight of the numerous beach restaurants of Ghar El Melah and other places, entire hills were ablaze. Apocalyptic images of burned Tunisian beach bars were shared on social media, which had attracted particularly many tourists this year due to low prices.

The fire department and 150 volunteers needed 40 hours to stop the fire in the forest area on Mount Jebel Chahma. The wildfire was one of hundreds that also kept the often poorly equipped civil protection units in Algeria and Libya on edge.

Left Alone by Politics

In Nabeul and Kasserine, Tunis and Tripoli, car tires were also set on fire. Owners of small shops who had to throw away all refrigerated goods due to power outages and were in the middle of the thriving tourism season faced financial ruin.