MALÉ, Mar 3 (NNN-PSM) – Maldivian President, Mohamed Muizzu, ordered the closure of government offices and institutions yesterday, in response to severe flooding, caused by the highest daily accumulated rainfall in the country’s history.
The Maldives Meteorological Service, in a post on X said, it recorded 296 millimetres of rainfall in the 24 hours ended at 8.00 a.m. yesterday morning.
The president’s decision follows continuous rainfall, which has resulted in significant hardship to the people.
Heavy rains on Saturday led to extensive flooding in Malé City, including Malé, Hulhumalé, and Hulhulé, which is home to Velana International Airport, and several outer islands.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and other agencies have been mobilised, to mitigate the impact of floodwaters on households and properties in the capital, it said.
A total of 17 pumps were deployed by the MNDF across six locations, to remove floodwater, with an estimated 17,000 tonnes of water already pumped out. The MNDF has also provided assistance to 131 properties, and supplied 976 sandbags to help control and mitigate the flooding.– NNN-PSM
The Maldives Meteorological Service said it expects more torrential rain and thunderstorms with gusty winds on Sunday.
