Torrential rain continues to lash Male’; 70 homes report flood damage

At least 70 homes in Male’ City reported flood damage on Tuesday, as torrential rain continues to lash the Maldivian capital.

A spokesperson from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) told Sun that the agency has received reports of flood damage from 70 homes.

The NDMA said that it is working on dewatering the homes and stacking gunny sacks at entrances of buildings.

Officials from the Male’ City Council, the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), State Electric Company (STELCO) and Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) are also collaborating with the NDMA to minimize flood damage.

The spokesperson said the NDMA has also received reports of flood damage from islands outside the capital.

The flooding in the capital comes as the Maldives Meteorological Service upgraded the weather alert for central Maldives from a yellow alert to an orange alert, warning of torrential rain and thunderstorms with flooding for the area from K. Atoll to ADh. Atoll.

The new alert is in effect from 02:15 pm to 06:15 pm on Tuesday.

There is also a yellow alert in effect for southern Maldives, warning of torrential rain and thunderstorms with gust winds of 45 miles per hour and rough seas.

The yellow alert is in effect for the area from GA. Atoll to Addu City from 04:10 pm to 08:30 pm on Tuesday.

The bad weather affecting the Maldives is triggered by an active Southwest Monsoon, locally known as the Hulhuangu Monsoon.

Maldives Meteorological Service said HA. Kelaa saw a record rainfall of 231.5 millimeters on Monday.

Meanwhile, HDh. Hanimaadhoo recorded 177.5 millimeters of rainfall, R. Irufu recorded 102 millimeters, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi recorded 77.8 millimeters, and K. Kaashidhoo recorded 69.6 millimeters.

F. Nilandhoo recorded maximum gust winds of 45 miles per hour.

The NDMA has advised the public to stay vigilant and take precautionary measures to safeguard property and belongings.

It urged the public to:

• Prepare for possible flooding
• Take proactive steps to safeguard homes from potential floodwaters, such as using gunny sacks to block water entry
• Protect Indoor furnishings: Move furniture and valuable items that maybe affected by flooding to higher places or away from potential flood areas within home
• Move furniture and valuable items to higher places or away from potential flood areas within the home to avoid damage from flooding Secure outdoor items: Protect or bring indoors any materials or belongings that could be blown away by strong winds
• Reinforce roofs; If there's a risk of strong winds damaging your roof, secure it with ropes to ensure roofing sheets are not blown away by winds
• Switch off all electrical equipment when not in use to prevent potential hazards
• Limit sea travel: Refrain from undertaking sea travel unless it is essential. Should travel be necessary, ensure that all safety equipment is in optimal condition, continuously monitor weather updates, and equip vessels with fully charged communication devices
• Before setting out on sea travel, obtain the most recent weather updates from the relevant authorities

Maldives Meteorological Service says that widespread rain with thunderstorms is expected to prevail over the country during the next five days.

Average winds are expected to be 17-27 miles per hour over northern and central regions, and 13-23 miles per hour in the south.

Gust winds are expected to reach 60 miles per hour.

Seas are expected to be rough, becoming very rough during showers.

The weather agency has warned that swell wave surges are possible during high tide.

It urged everyone, especially seafarers, to be cautious and take all safety precautions.