Tunisia entered the oven today, even in the north where the climate is milder, as the mercury climbed to 50 degrees Celsius, i.e. 6-10 degrees above the normal temperature for the season, resulting in power outages and many families seeking refuge on the beaches.

In neighboring Algeriathe authorities have been put on alert since in five regions, in the east, the temperature is expected to reach the 48 degrees: in Giselle, Skikda, Anaba, El Tarf and Guelma.

Due to this “unprecedented heat”, state-owned power company Sonelgaz reported that on Sunday power consumption reached its peak, at 18,695 megawatts. Air conditioners are sold very expensively (more than 500 euros, from 300 previously), when one can find them.

Large forest fires are ongoing in both countries.

Today, in the center of Tunis the temperature reached 49 degrees in the shade. At one point on Avenue Bourguiba, the main thoroughfare of the capital, at noon the thermometers showed 56 degrees, in the sun. AFP journalists met very few passers-by on the streets. One woman, 56-year-old Aida Sherif, said she had no choice: “I have an appointment with my doctor, so I went out with a bottle of water. I usually do my shopping early in the morning and then close up at home,” she explained.

Still others, like 18-year-old Elies Nafti, face the situation more calmly. “We will go to the beach, sit under the umbrella and come back in the afternoon when the temperature drops. It’s hot in the Medina (the historic center of Tunis), we’ll cool off and have a good time,” he said.

Due to the abnormally high temperature, power outages are not uncommon in recent days. The public company Steg has announced that it has decided to proceed with planned outages in order to preserve the functionality of the network. Breaks last between half an hour and an hour, especially during peak hours. On July 10, a record consumption was recorded, with 4,692 megawatts, due to the intensive use of air conditioners.

Tunisians from poor neighborhoods, who often do not have air conditioners at home, they sleep at night in tents on the beaches.

On social networking sites, some are calling Tunisia a “grill”, others are posting prayers in the hope that this heat wave, which has already lasted two weeks, will end.

Elsewhere in northern Africa, in Morocco and Libya, the temperature is within normal levels for the season.