Tunisia's health ministry issues heatwave alert as temperatures approach 45C across the interior

Tunisia's ministry of health issued a public heatwave alert on Saturday 28 June, calling on all citizens to follow a set of preventive measures as a Saharan heat dome pushes temperatures towards 45C across the country's interior and south.

In a communiqué published on Saturday, the ministry stressed the need to pay particular attention to the most vulnerable: children, infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses, the ministry said.

The alert follows a separate call to vigilance issued by Tunisia's Civil Protection agency (Office national de la protection civile) on Friday 26 June, which warned citizens against leaving any person inside a parked vehicle, even briefly, due to the serious risk to life.

What the guidance says

The ministry urged people to drink water regularly and in sufficient quantities, without waiting to feel thirsty. It recommended avoiding direct exposure to the sun, particularly between 11:00 and 16:00, when temperatures reach their peak.

Protective clothing is also advised: lightweight, light-coloured cotton garments, along with hats and sunglasses when moving outdoors. The Civil Protection agency additionally recommended staying as much as possible in shaded or air-conditioned spaces.

Should signs of heat-related illness appear, the ministry said the affected person should be moved immediately to a cool place and the body cooled with water or damp compresses. Emergency services should be contacted without delay on 190 (medical emergency) or 198 (Civil Protection).

Conditions across the country

The Institut National de la Météorologie (INM) has maintained a high alert level across the country this weekend. Coastal areas in the north are recording temperatures of around 31C to 34C, tempered by a sea breeze. The Greater Tunis area, the centre and the deep south are under more intense heat, with temperatures ranging from around 38C to 45C, particularly in Tozeur and Kébili, the INM reported.

The UV index is forecast to exceed 9 — a critical level — between 11:00 and 16:00 on Sunday, compounding the health risk for anyone outdoors during those hours.

The sirocco wind is intensifying conditions in parts of the interior, with localised afternoon storm cells developing over western highland areas.

A summer forecast above seasonal norms

The current episode sits within a broader seasonal picture. In its summer forecast published on 31 May, the INM said temperatures for the June–August 2026 period were expected to exceed the seasonal reference norms — based on the 1991–2020 period — across the entire country. Coastal areas typically see seasonal averages of 22C to 24C; inland and southern regions normally range from 25C to 33C, with Tozeur recording the highest values.

The ministry said prevention, regular hydration and avoiding sun exposure during the hottest hours remain the most effective measures for protecting health during heatwave episodes.