It’s a feeble drip, drip, drip from the taps every night in Tunisia for six months. Spigots are cut off for seven hours from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. in a state-ordered water rationing in most regions across the country, including Tunis, the capital city.

Tunisians are on the front lines of a battle against an increasingly severe drought, now in its fifth year in the north African country, with the government issuing a sudden order to its population to ration their water usage from April to September — or risk fines or jail.

Households now need a supply of bottled water to wash, use toilets and prepare meals during late night hours. Authorities have also forbidden the use of potable water for irrigation of farmlands, watering green areas in cities and for cleaning streets and cars.

Water levels at almost all of Tunisia’s 30-plus dams have fallen drastically, some as low as 17 percent of their storage capacity.

The Sidi Salem dam in northwest Tunisia provides tap water to Tunis and along the Tunisian Sahel, including cities like Sfax, as well as water for irrigation around Tunis.

But water stored there is at its lowest level since its construction in 1981, the newspaper La Presse reported, quoting Faycel Khemiri, the No. 2 official for dams and hydraulic works at the Agricultural Ministry.

There’s also concern over a potentially scorching summer in Tunisia — where temperatures can top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) — ramping up water demand and causing eventual protests over the cuts.

The country is already in the midst of an economic crisis. Talks with the International Monetary Fund for a $1.9 billion loan agreement to help finance the state stalled late last year amid Tunisia’s political tensions.

Tunisia is experiencing its worst crisis in a generation as inflation hovers around 11 percent and food supplies are increasingly scarce, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Ramadan is nearly over, but summer and the start of tourist season will turn up the heat.

Tourism is a major source of income for Tunisia, with the country of about 12 million people boasting around 850 hotels.

An explosion of oranges, yellows, purples and whites has covered California’s hillsides, as a rare “super bloom” bursts into life in the wake of a very wet winter.

Vast stretches of countryside that spend months of the year as a muted, dry brown have been transformed into a carpet of color that can be seen from space.

“It almost feels like a painting,” says Triana Montserrat as she surveys the California poppies, brittlebush and lupins that smother the ground.

“It’s so intricate, and it’s so beautiful. It’s like my mind couldn’t even have come up with that itself,” adds the 29-year-old.

America’s most populous state spent months cowering from the onslaught of repeated storms that brought near-record rainfall.

Californians more used to wearing shorts and shades retreated indoors, where many suddenly discovered roof leaks that had gone unnoticed during several dry years.

But as the waterlogged winter gave way to spring, nature revealed its spectacular reward.

Behold: the super bloom, an ill-defined but you’ll-know-it-when-you-see-it treat that comes along every so often, when the arid ground is treated to a jolly good soaking.

Most of Minnesota should escape serious flooding over the next couple weeks, emergency managers said Wednesday, but cautioned that higher-than-expected rains in the coming days or rapid snowmelt in the Red River Valley could raise the threat.

Minnesota is coming off one of its snowiest winters on record — the third snowiest in the Twin Cities.

The St. Croix River at Stillwater has “basically leveled off” and should hold steady before gradually falling early next week, depending on whether significant rainfall arrives next week.

The Mississippi River at St. Paul will be at major flood stage from the weekend through early next week.

Communities on the North Dakota side of the Red River, such as Fargo and Grand Forks, and on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi, such as La Crosse, have also been preparing.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum declared a statewide emergency last week. His office said Wednesday that drones from the Federal Aviation Administration will assist with monitoring flood levels, melt rates and ice jams.

The Minnesota Department of Health used the briefing to urge private well users to make sure they’re prepared in case their wells flood or already have.

Flood waters often carry hazardous and toxic materials, Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Petersen-Kroeber said.

Wells that flood should be presumed to be contaminated and the water should not be used for drinking, cooking or even tooth-brushing until they’ve been inspected and disinfected, she said. The department has posted advice on its website.

Ofu-Olosega, are twin volcanic islands that are connected by an artificial bridge, which are part of the Manu’a Islands Group of the Samoan Islands, within the unincorporated territory of the United States, the Territory of American Samoa.

The two islands have been formed from shield volcano, and they are separated with the Asaga Strait which is 137 meters (449 feet) wide. With their combined length, they measure to 6 km (4 mi), having an area of some 12 square km (5 square mi), and about 97 km (60 mi) from the main island of Tutila, Ofu and Olosega Islands are one of the most scenic ones from American Samoa.

Both islands have their own high peak, which also is a volcano, where Mount Piumafua on Olosega is the highest point with 629 meters (2,064 feet) above the sea level, while Mount Tumutumu on Ofu is somewhat lower with 491 meters (1,611 feet) above the sea.

The most recent eruption from the two volcanoes was between September and November in 1866, when the submarine ridge of the Olosega Island erupted, and since then, there was no eruption. Even though the islands are tiny, and differ in size, they are one spectacular and very inspirational places to have your vacation.

Filled with scenic beaches and mountain backdrops, they are one of the best examples of coral reefs in the Pacific area, which makes them quite attractive to the tourists.

There are some 500 permanent residents on the islands, and the simplicity and remoteness, makes them attractive even for the escapists and adventurous people, nonetheless, they are not filled with plenty of amenities and facilities which would make them more extravagant.

Still, most of the southern shore and coral reef of the Ofu Island are part of the National Park of American Samoa, where in 2005 the U.S. National Park Service was negotiating with village councils on Olosega to expand the park around that island.

There are settlements and villages around the islands, among which Alaufau and Ofu on Ofu Island are more important and Lalomoana, Faiava, Sili and Olosega are the ones from Olosega Island.

Being the perfect spots for an escape from the urban life, one could swim around the shores of the islands, however, there are strong currents in some parts which is always better to be cautious not to be dragged into the open sea.

Snorkeling is definitely the best experience one could get from this paradise of the American Samoa, and the National Park of American Samoa to the southern side of the Ofu Island is the best place to snorkel.

Quite impressive and alluring islands that are home to the Samoa flying-fox, which is a species of bat, Ofu and Olosega Islands will welcome everyone who would like to spend their time in peace and tranquility, always willing to enjoy the glorious place this planet has given to us.