A severe weather system brought heavy rain, hail, and strong winds to several areas in Tunisia's Kassrine region on Saturday, causing significant agricultural damage. The affected areas include the delegations of Sbeiba, Sbeitla, Tala, Ayoûn, Jdlian, and Hidra. According to the National Meteorological Institute, the highest rainfall was recorded in Sbeiba at 42mm, followed by Sbeitla at 29mm and Ayoûn at 23mm. Hail was also reported in Sbeitla, Tala, and Sbeiba.
The hail and rain caused significant damage to agricultural crops, particularly in the Sbeiba delegation, where at least 50% of the plantations were affected. However, the actual damage may be higher due to the varying severity of the impact across different areas. The olive crop, which is in a critical phase of ripening, was severely impacted, with damage not only to the fallen olives but also to the trees and remaining olives, which may develop diseases affecting their quality and yield.
In addition to the olive crop, other fruit trees and vegetable crops were also damaged, despite some having been harvested. The extent of the damage varied across the affected areas, with Sbeitla also reporting significant losses in the olive and vegetable sectors. The damage was not limited to the crops, as the hail and strong winds also caused damage to agricultural infrastructure.
Muhammad Hassan Al-Azhari, head of the Kassrine Regional Farmers' Union, stated that they are still assessing the damage and communicating with various stakeholders to discuss potential solutions to support the affected farmers. The union is working to determine the full extent of the damage and identify areas where intervention is necessary to mitigate the impact on farmers.
The affected farmers are facing significant challenges, particularly with the olive crop, which is a major source of income for many in the region. The damage caused by the hail and rain has raised concerns about the potential impact on food security and the local economy. The authorities and agricultural experts are working together to assess the damage and develop strategies to support the affected farmers.
The Kassrine region is known for its agricultural production, particularly olives, fruits, and vegetables. The damage caused by the hail and rain has highlighted the vulnerability of the region's agricultural sector to extreme weather events. The authorities are working to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of such events and support farmers in adapting to climate change.
The assessment of the damage is ongoing, and the authorities are working to provide support to the affected farmers. The incident has highlighted the importance of developing strategies to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on agriculture and ensure food security in the region.
Key points
- The hail and rain caused significant damage to agricultural crops in the Kassrine region, particularly in the Sbeiba delegation, where at least 50% of the plantations were affected.
- The olive crop, which is in a critical phase of ripening, was severely impacted, with damage not only to the fallen olives but also to the trees and remaining olives.
- The authorities and agricultural experts are working together to assess the damage and develop strategies to support the affected farmers.
