Tunis: In response to a severe drought that has hit the nation, Tunisia on Friday instituted a quota system for potable water and prohibited its use in agriculture until September 30.

According to senior agriculture ministry official Hamadi Habib, Tunisia, which is experiencing a fourth consecutive year of severe drought, saw a decline in its dam capacity to roughly 1 billion cubic metres, or 30% of the maximum, as a result of a lack of rain from September 2022 to mid-March 2023.

The use of potable water to wash cars, water gardens, clean streets, and maintain public spaces has also been outlawed by the agriculture ministry. Infractions are punishable by a fine and up to six months in jail, as stated by the Water law

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According to locals, authorities in Tunisia have been turning off drinking water at night in some parts of the capital and other cities for the past two weeks in an effort to reduce consumption, a move that has sparked intense resentment. The government chose not to respond to the assertion.

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The new decision poses a risk of escalating social unrest in a nation where residents struggle with subpar public services, high inflation, and a faltering economy.

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According to official data, the Sidi Salem Dam in the north of the country, which is a major source of drinking water for several regions, has only drained to 16 percent of its maximum capacity of 580 million cubic metres.

According to senior farmers union official Mohamed Rjaibia, Tunisia's grain harvest will be "disastrous," with the drought-stricken crop falling to 200,000-250,000 tonnes this year from 750,000 tonnes in 2022.