Tunisia state water distribution company SONEDE said in a statement on Friday that it will cut water supply to citizens for seven hours a night. This decision is being taken in response to the country's worst drought on record. Earlier, Tunisia's agricultural ministry introduced a quota system for potable water banning its use in agriculture till September 30. The drought in Tunisia is now in its fourth year.

SONEDE said in a statement that the water will be cut off daily from 9 p.m until 4 a.m, with immediate effect.

Mosbah Hlali, its head, said the drought in the country was unprecedented due to the scarcity of rain for four consecutive years, and called on Tunisians to understand the decision which it attributed to climate change.

Senior agriculture ministry official Hamadi Habib said that Tunisia had recorded a drop in its dam capacity to around 1 billion cubic metres or 30 per cent of the maximum.

The agriculture ministry has also banned the use of potable water to wash cars, water green areas and clean streets and public places. Violators face a fine and imprisonment for a period of between six days to six months.

Residents said Tunisian authorities have been cutting off drinking water at night in some areas of the capital and other cities for the last two weeks in a bid to cut consumption, a move that has sparked widespread anger.

The new decision threatens to fuel social tension in a country whose people suffer from poor public services, high inflation and a weak economy.

The Sidi Salem Dam in the north of the country, a key provider of drinking water to several regions, has declined to only 16% of its maximum capacity of 580 million cubic metres, official figures showed.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Tunisia state water distribution company SONEDE said in a statement on Friday that it will cut water supply to citizens for seven hours a night. This decision is being taken in response to the country's worst drought on record.

Tunisia state water distribution company SONEDE said in a statement on Friday that it will cut water supply to citizens for seven hours a night. This decision is being taken in response to the country's worst drought on record. Earlier, Tunisia's agricultural ministry introduced a quota system for potable water banning its use in agriculture till September 30. The drought in Tunisia is now in its fourth year. SONEDE said in a statement that the water will be cut off daily from 9 p.m until 4 a.m, with immediate effect. Mosbah Hlali, its head, said the drought in the country was unprecedented due to the scarcity of rain for four consecutive years, and called on Tunisians to understand the decision which it attributed to climate change. Senior agriculture ministry official Hamadi Habib said that Tunisia had recorded a drop in its dam capacity to around 1 billion cubic metres or 30 per cent of the maximum. The agriculture ministry has also banned the use of potable water to wash cars, water green areas and clean streets and public places. Violators face a fine and imprisonment for a period of between six days to six months. Residents said Tunisian authorities have been cutting off drinking water at night in some areas of the capital and other cities for the last two weeks in a bid to cut consumption, a move that has sparked widespread anger. The new decision threatens to fuel social tension in a country whose people suffer from poor public services, high inflation and a weak economy. The Sidi Salem Dam in the north of the country, a key provider of drinking water to several regions, has declined to only 16% of its maximum capacity of 580 million cubic metres, official figures showed. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Tunisia: Public water supply to be cut overnight due to drought, fine and jail for wastage

Libyan authorities have shut water supplies to swathes of the country after gunmen demanding the release of a jailed Kadhafi-era official threatened to sabotage the water network.

Supplies to western and southwestern&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;were interrupted overnight Saturday to Sunday, the Great Man-Made River water authority said.

It took the decision to cut the supply after gunmen Thursday stormed several water distribution centres demanding the release of Abdullah al-Senussi.

A brother-in-law of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, Senussi was sentenced to death in 2015 over his alleged role in attempting to suppress the 2011 uprising that culminated in Kadhafi's ouster and killing.

On Thursday, gunmen gave authorities 72 hours to release Senussi from detention in the capital Tripoli, the water authority said.

If their demands were not met they planned on attacking the network which brings water from underground wells in the Sahara to Tripoli.

A statement from the Great Man-Made River authority said it was preferable to cut the water supply than see it damaged in any potential attack.

Senussi was extradited in September 2012 by Mauritania, where he fled after Kadhafi's fall.

He was the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for suspected war crimes during the 2011 uprising.

In 2013 the court gave Libyan authorities the green light to put him on trial.

Libyan authorities have shut water supplies to swathes of the country after gunmen demanding the release of a jailed Kadhafi-era official threatened to sabotage the water network.

Libyan authorities have shut water supplies to swathes of the country after gunmen demanding the release of a jailed Kadhafi-era official threatened to sabotage the water network. Supplies to western and southwestern Libya were interrupted overnight Saturday to Sunday, the Great Man-Made River water authority said. It took the decision to cut the supply after gunmen Thursday stormed several water distribution centres demanding the release of Abdullah al-Senussi. A brother-in-law of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, Senussi was sentenced to death in 2015 over his alleged role in attempting to suppress the 2011 uprising that culminated in Kadhafi's ouster and killing. On Thursday, gunmen gave authorities 72 hours to release Senussi from detention in the capital Tripoli, the water authority said. If their demands were not met they planned on attacking the network which brings water from underground wells in the Sahara to Tripoli. A statement from the Great Man-Made River authority said it was preferable to cut the water supply than see it damaged in any potential attack. Senussi was extradited in September 2012 by Mauritania, where he fled after Kadhafi's fall. He was the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for suspected war crimes during the 2011 uprising. In 2013 the court gave Libyan authorities the green light to put him on trial.

Swathes of Libya without water after sabotage threats

The water supply in Syria's north northeastern province of Hasakah has been cut off by Turkey due to which lives of around 460,000 people are at risk. Residents are forced to choose between water & food.

Taps run dry in Syria's Hasakah due to water supply cut off by Turkey