6 months’ worth of rain in 1 day, floodwaters rose 1.7 m (5.6 ft) as remnants of Medicane “Brian” hit Tunisia

At least 4 people have been killed as remnants of the first medicane of the season – Brian – dropped heavy rain on Tunisia over the past couple of days, causing catastrophic flash flooding.

Severe thunderstorms first hit the country on September 19 but rains intensified towards the end of the week.

Some areas of the country, like the northeastern city of Nabeul, received as much as 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rain on Saturday, September 22, 2018, according to information provided by the National Institute of Meteorology. This is half the country's annual precipitation, ministry spokesman Sofiene Zaag told AFP news agency on September 23. Up to 225 mm (8.85 inches) was measured in Beni Khalled.

This is the heaviest rainfall to hit the region in such a short period since 1995 when precise measurements began. 

Floodwaters in Nabeul rose to more than 1.7 m (5.6 feet), damaging homes, bridges and roads, and cutting off power and telecommunication lines.

The floods claimed lives of at least 4 people on Saturday, including two sisters swept away as they left the factory where they worked.

Featurd image credit: Mou Gass Mourad Gass