Tunisia cuts off water, facing severe drought

Tunisian residents said that authorities have started cutting off drinking water at night in areas of the capital Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir and Sfax, according to Reuters published on Tuesday.

Hamadi Habib, a senior official in agriculture ministry said rain scarcity made the capacity of Tunisian dams decrease around of 1 billion cubic meters. According to official figures, Sidi Salem Dam declined to only 16 percent of its maximum capacity.

The measurement is seen as an attempt from the government to reduce consumption and counter the serious drought Tunisia is witnessing.