The government has decided to relocate residents of 96 homes damaged by flooding after continuous rainfall in Malé to temporary shelters, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday night.
Citing the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the President made the remarks while speaking to the media after visiting and inspecting some homes damaged by floodwaters.
"God willing, we're trying to do it tonight itself out of the homes that need relocating. Just now Disaster has informed that people need to be relocated to temporary shelters from 96 homes in Malé," he said.
The government will try to improve disaster assistance work in the future, the President said. The entire disaster management system will be strengthened, including providing emergency relief and humanitarian assistance and establishing temporary shelters.
"It has been decided to do all of this. Urgent action will be taken before too long," the President said.
All government ministries and agencies are working together to provide assistance to the public and households affected by the rain, he added.
The President repeated last night a pledge made during his election campaign to redevelop all roads in Malé with strong stormwater drainage systems in order to solve the recurring flooding problem.
Torrential downpours over recent days also caused flooding and damaged homes in Addu and Fuvahmulah. The NDMA has been providing assistance to the affected households.
The Met office predicted that the weather will improve on Monday despite some rainfall.
An all-time high rainfall of 179.7 millimeters was recorded in the Hulhulé airport island over the past 24 hours, the Met office said on Monday morning.
The rainfall recorded in Malé was 118.2mm during the same period followed by 105.6mm in Baa Goidhoo as the third highest volume.
