Recent Storms Leave Mark on Tunisia's Picturesque Village of Sidi Bou Saïd
The recent storms that hit Tunisia have left their mark on the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Saïd, where landslides have been reported on the plateau, causing concern and vigilance among residents and visitors. Known for its white and blue alleys and considered an open-air museum, the town, which is emblematic of Tunisian tourism, has seen its daily life disrupted by these natural phenomena. According to testimony from residents and merchants on the current state of the village after the rains, as well as on the measures taken by local authorities, the majority of people agree that the situation is improving gradually, but caution remains, particularly due to the old trees scattered across the plateau.
Risks Beyond Landslides
Some residents point out that these trees, some of which date back to the time of President Habib Bourguiba, pose a daily danger, with branches that can fall or trunks that lean under the effect of wind and water-saturated soil. "It's not just about landslides, but also about invisible threats that every visitor and resident feels when walking on the plateau," explains a local resident. Other residents downplay the issue, considering the landslides to be natural phenomena typical of this type of terrain, especially after significant rainfall, and judging the alarms about threatened houses to be somewhat exaggerated. However, everyone agrees that the complete treatment of these problems exceeds the financial means of the municipality, whose limited resources do not allow for large-scale work. Some residents even denounce what they perceive as a slowness in municipal intervention, while certain areas continue to experience slight landslides without a durable solution.
Preparing for the Tourist Season
On the tourism front, caution is advised: access to the upper refuge has been restricted due to the risk of landslides, which has temporarily reduced the flow of visitors. "Attendance has decreased, but it's understandable," says a merchant to Mosaïque Fm, recalling that winter naturally sees a decline in tourist activity. Others see this period as an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season: renovation work, painting, and maintenance of businesses to welcome tourists from the beginning of March.
As the village gradually regains its rhythm, the recent events remind everyone of the fragility of Sidi Bou Saïd in the face of bad weather and the importance of preserving this unique heritage, which combines beauty, history, and daily life.
Read also: Municipalité de Tunis: a number at the disposal of citizens in case of bad weather
