Water ban in drought-stricken Tunisia adds to growing crisis

Parched ground last week at the Chiba dam near Nabeul, Tunisia, as water rationing hits the country. Photograph: Mohamed Messara/EPA

Tunisia has introduced water rationing as the country suffers its fourth year of severe drought.

The state water distribution company, Sonede, has already begun cutting mains water supplies every night between 9pm and 4am. The agriculture ministry has now banned the use of water for irrigation, watering green spaces and other public areas, and for washing cars.