40 relocated from Male’ homes due to sewer overflow amid flooding

Some 40 people living in homes in Male’ City have been moved to temporary shelter after extensive flooding in the capital on Saturday caused sewers to overflow.

Hours-long torrential rain on Saturday caused severe flooding in Male’ and several other islands in central Maldives.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 40 people living in four homes were moved to temporary shelters due to sewer outflow as a result of the heavy flooding.

Other islands that were affected by flooding on Saturday include K. Himmafushi, K. Huraa and K. Guraidhoo. Meanwhile, flooding in K. Thulusdhoo caused sewers to overflow.

The NDMA said it is collaborating with the Local Government Ministry to distribute sand bags out of the former Housing Ministry building.

The Maldives Meteorological Service forecasts the bad weather conditions to prevail on Sunday, before the weather begins to clear up on Monday.

The NDMA said it is prepared to response to an emergency situation, and has decided to postpone threat assessments to Monday.

The heavy rain and flooding on Saturday had promoted the weather agency to issue an orange alert.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has declared Sunday a public holiday due to the bad weather.