President forms task force to assist public amid severe weather conditions

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has formed a special task force to monitor and solve the difficulties and damages public faces amid the heavy rain.

The President’s Office Spokesperson, Heena Waleed, confirmed A special task force was made to monitor the ongoing situation in the country during the current weather conditions and provide solutions to the inconveniences the public faced due to flooding and other weather conditions.

While the president will chair the task force, its members include:

1. Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, Minister of Defense
2. Ali Ihusan, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology
3. Dr. Ismail Shafeeu, Minister of Education
4. Dr. Ibrahim Khaleel, Minister of Health
5. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and Energy
6. Adam Shareef Umar, Minister of Cities and Local Government and Public Works
7. Abdulla Fayaz, Chief of Staff
8. Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Chief of Defense Force
9. 9: Ali Shujau, Commissioner of Police

The heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding caused damages in several islands, with more then 230 Male’ City residences reporting flood-related damages on Tuesday, said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

On Monday, Al Jazeera forecast the Maldives will experience a month’s worth of rain in the next three days. The Maldives Meteorological Center (MET Office) said that Haa Alifu atoll Kelaa experienced 231.5 millimeters of rain on Monday alone.

MET Office further forecast bad weather conditions, including heavy rain, thunderstorms and rough seas for the next five days. The authority forecast wind speeds of 17 to 20 miles per hour for central Maldives and 13 to 20 miles per hour winds for southern parts.

President Dr. Muizzu on Tuesday also declared that Wednesday will be a government holiday due to severe weather conditions.