President promises assistance as Male' faces severe flooding

Aug 13, 2024, 11:31 AM
Photo: Adhadhu

Photo: Adhadhu

Continuous rains since Tuesday morning have flooded parts of the capital Male' city.

The country has been experiencing the intensifying effects of the southwest monsoon since Sunday.

Nine islands reported flooding on Monday, but the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said no evacuation was needed.

The deluge in Male' on Tuesday afternoon obstructed pedestrians and vehicles while some houses were also affected by flood waters.

Photo: Adhadhu
Photo: Adhadhu

Photo: Adhadhu

"The MNDF Fire and Rescue Service is working to drain waters in some areas of the Male'," the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said.

Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon said the army has been deployed to assist the people.

Meanwhile, the Maldives Meteorology Service (Met Office) has issued an orange alert for Male', with heavy rain expected to continue until tonight.

"The Maldives Meteorological Service has forecast heavy rains and rough seas. Therefore, people are advised not to travel by sea unless necessary," the police said.

In a post on X, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the flooding faced in Male' can be solved when a road development project is completed.

The President said one of the objectives of the Chinese-funded project is to solve the flooding problem in Male'.

“I assure you that the government will continue to give top priority to assist all those affected by the current rains in the atolls and Male',” the President added.

Photo: Adhadhu
Photo: Adhadhu

Photo: Adhadhu

The project to develop all the roads in Male' and Villimale' was announced during the parliamentary election campaign.

He stated the project would be carried out under China's free aid. The government has signed a letter of exchange (LOE) with China Aid to raise funds for the feasibility study.

Construction Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib said the project will cost more than USD 100 million.

The government awarded the design and survey of the Villimale' roads to the Road Development Corporation (RDC) in January. But there has been no update on the work.

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