Tunisia's Beni M'tir dam reaches full capacity, prompting controlled water release

Recent heavy rains have significantly altered the water landscape in northwestern Tunisia, with dams, including Beni M'tir, reaching full capacity. The Beni M'tir dam, which holds nearly 60 million cubic meters, has reached its maximum level. This situation led to the activation of sirens, which, while causing concern on social media, are part of a controlled hydraulic discharge procedure. Former Secretary of State for Agriculture Abdallah Rabhi explained on Express FM on Friday, April 17, 2026, that these sirens are a safety measure to warn residents of the controlled release of water, not a sign of imminent disaster. Excess water from Beni M'tir is being redirected to the Bouhertma dam via the interconnected hydraulic network of the Medjerda wadi. This system aims to balance water levels, optimize resources, and prevent uncontrolled overflows. BN Check confirmed that the discharge rate is approximately 50 cubic meters per second, with the goal of gradually lowering the dam's level to a more stable 57 million cubic meters, allowing for absorption of future rainfall. All dams in the Jendouba governorate are currently at 100% capacity. The Bouhertma dam serves as a crucial buffer, absorbing excess water and rebalancing the Medjerda basin. This interconnected hydraulic strategy is vital for preventing localized overflows and redistributing water to areas in need, especially with increasingly intense weather patterns. Continuous monitoring by hydraulic sector actors and civil pr