Tunis: Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri on Thursday called for increased vigilance ahead of the rainy season, stressing the need to increase preventive measures against extreme weather and mitigate its potential impact during the coming autumn and winter. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, the Prime Minister, while chairing a small ministerial council at the Kasbah Government Palace, emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive strategy grounded in anticipation, planning, operational readiness, and early intervention, in line with directives from President Kais Saied. Zaafrani Zenzri highlighted the importance of upgrading and maintaining infrastructure, strengthening monitoring and early-warning systems, and conducting field inspections. She urged authorities to enhance preparations in response to weather forecasts predicting possible fluctuations and heavy rainfall, with a focus on areas and sites most vulnerable to flooding. During the meeting, ministers from various departments including Inte rior, Health, Equipment and Housing, Agriculture, Environment, Social Affairs, and Transport presented their preparedness plans and preventive measures for the upcoming rainy season. The council reviewed progress on preventive works such as clearing riverbeds and waterways, cleaning stormwater drainage networks, and maintaining flood-control infrastructure, dams, mountain lakes, pumping stations, and other water facilities. Preventive measures also include the regular removal of construction debris and waste and tree pruning to mitigate risks associated with severe weather. Work is ongoing on 29 flood-protection projects across several cities and urban areas, with a total cost of around 396 million dinars, expected to be completed in 2026. By the end of July, 2,250 kilometers of channels, riverbeds, and secondary waterways had been cleared, along with approximately 62 hectares of water-collection basins. The annual program covers about 3,800 kilometers of channels and waterways and nearly 70 hectares of bas ins nationwide. Of the 363 kilometers of riverbeds slated for clearance, 131 kilometers have been completed, with work continuing in 18 governorates. Maintenance has also been completed on 83 mountain lakes, while 116 others are undergoing maintenance. As for stormwater drainage networks, 476 kilometers had been cleared by the end of July, with ongoing work on a further 562 kilometers. Exceptional interventions have been carried out in Monastir, Mahdia, and Gafsa to clear waterways and riverbeds. To repair flood damage from January 2026, 132 million dinars have been allocated to 15 governorates. The first phase covers 120 sites at a cost of 84 million dinars. The ministerial council stressed the acceleration and completion of preventive works before the rainy season peak and emphasized the need for regular field inspections, immediate correction of identified shortcomings, and verification of the readiness of all equipment and emergency-response resources. Authorities were also instructed to rank flood-pro ne areas and infrastructure according to risk level, prepare clear intervention plans, and update disaster-prevention, emergency-response, and rescue plans at all levels. Databases of flood-prone locations are also to be updated. The council further called for stronger monitoring, early-warning, and communication systems, faster data sharing and analysis, and closer coordination among relevant public authorities. At the meeting's conclusion, the Prime Minister stressed that preparing for the rainy season requires the mobilization of all relevant authorities and available human and logistical resources. She underscored that tackling climate-related risks necessitates a firmly established culture of prevention and anticipation, supported by an integrated system based on preparedness, early warning, and rapid response.