Seven Maldivian Islands Report Flooding Amid Severe Weather Conditions
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported flooding in seven islands across the Maldives due to heavy rain and swell waves, as the nation experiences a spell of severe weather.
Two islands, R. Inguriadhoo and Sh. Narudhoo, experienced flooding caused by swell waves, while heavy rain resulted in flooding in five additional islands. Among these, F. Nilandhoo has been severely impacted, with 80 per cent of the island inundated, according to the NDMA, citing the Nilandhoo Council.
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Dh. Kudahuvadhoo and Dh. Meedhoo also suffered flood damage, with ten homes in Meedhoo impacted. Meanwhile, four homes in ADh. Maamigili were affected, two of which sustained severe damage. In F. Feeali, residents of one home had to be relocated due to flooding.
ބޯކޮށް ވާރޭ ވެހުމާާއި އުދަ އެރުމުގެ ސަބަބުން މިހާތަނަށް 6 ރަށެއްގައި ފެންބޮޑުވެގެން ރިޕޯޓު ލިބިފައިވޭ . އެއީ އުދައަރައިގެން ށ.ނަރުދޫ އަދި ރ. އިނގުރައިދޫ. ވާރޭ ވެހި ފެންބޮޑުވެގެން ދ. ކުޑަހުވަދޫ، ދ.މީދޫ،ފ.ނިލަންދޫ އަދި ފ. މަގޫދޫ. – pic.twitter.com/yg7zuNltqf— NDMA Maldives (@NDMAmv) January 3, 2025
The capital, Malé, has faced severe flooding following continuous heavy rain. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)’s Fire and Rescue Service has been actively draining floodwaters, deploying 16 pumps across six key areas in Malé City.
Hulhumalé has also experienced significant flooding. In an effort to mitigate damage, MNDF and Malé City Council have been placing sandbags in flood-prone areas.
An orange alert was issued yesterday for central Maldivian atolls from Baa Atoll to Thaa Atoll, warning of torrential rain, thunderstorms, and flooding. This alert remained in effect until 11 pm. A yellow alert for Noonu Atoll to Laamu Atoll warned of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusts of wind up to 40 miles per hour, remaining in effect until 4 am on Saturday morning.
The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has forecasted continued bad weather, with torrential rain and thunderstorms expected over the next two days. Conditions are predicted to improve by Monday.
Several islands, including K. Maafushi, K. Guraidhoo, Dh. Kudahuvadhoo, Dh. Meedhoo, ADh. Maamigili, Sh. Narudhoo, and F. Nilandhoo, have reported significant damage due to heavy rain and swell waves. MNDF remains active in assisting affected residents and mitigating further damage.
