Severe flooding has hit Lhaviyani Atoll, Hinnavaru, following heavy rainfall today, prompting local authorities to deploy sandbags and pump out water as floodwaters enter residential homes.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), torrential rain has inundated the entire island, causing water to breach multiple residences. In response, the Hinnavaru Island Council has spearheaded emergency relief efforts, stacking sandbags around affected homes to prevent further water damage and actively working to drain the accumulated floodwater.
Due to the scale of the flooding and the need for additional resources, efforts are currently underway to mobilise the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to assist the local council and residents with ongoing drainage and relief operations.
The flooding coincides with a yellow weather alert issued by the Maldives Meteorological Service covering atolls from Shaviyani to Alif Dhaalu, a zone that includes Lhaviyani Atoll from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM today.
Forecasters warned of torrential rain, thunderstorms, and wind gusts reaching up to 40 miles per hour during the four-hour window, advising residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
Northern and central atolls have experienced prolonged periods of unsettled weather in recent weeks due to an intensified south-west monsoon system. Last month, similar persistent monsoon downpours triggered widespread flooding across northern islands, requiring joint dewatering and relief deployments by the MNDF and NDMA.
ޅ. ހިންނަވަރަށް ބޯކޮށް ވާރޭވެހި މުޅި ރަށުގައި ފެންބޮޑުވެ ގެތަކަށް ފެން ވަންނަމުންދާތީ، ފެން ވަންނަ ގެތަކުގައި ވެލިބަސްތާ ޖެހުމާއި، ކައުންސިލްގެ އިސްނެގުމުގެ މަތިން ފެންހިއްކުމުގެ މަސައްކަތް ދަނީ ކުރަމުން. އަދި އިތުރު އެހީތެރިކަން ބޭނުންވާތީ އެމް.އެން.ޑީ.އެފް ގެ އެހީތެރިކަން ފޯރުކޮށްދިނުމަށް ދަނީ މަސައްކަތް ކުރަމުން.— NDMA Maldives (@NDMAmv) November 15, 2026
