Torrential rain from yesterday afternoon until 9:30 pm has left Gaafu Alif Kolamaafushi reeling, with floodwaters entering 85 percent of the island's households and leaving residents of 25 homes displaced and in distress.
Speaking to Adhadhu, the Vice President of the island Council, Shahamath Haneef said that there are currently no alternative housing options for those whose homes were rendered uninhabitable by the downpour.
"There is nowhere to relocate them; they are truly in a state of desperation," Shahamath said.
The heavy rainfall submerged the entire island. Shahamath noted that water entered approximately 60 houses—about 85 percent of the homes on the island—with water levels reaching up to two feet in some residences.
"Water completely flooded about 85 percent of the houses. There has been extensive damage to property and belongings," she added.
The Vice President further noted that the island has now been brought back to a state of normalcy following a continuous joint operation by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Council since yesterday.
"We dug channels to drain the water, doing what we could. The military then used pumps to clear the flooding," Shahamath explained.
In a social media post this afternoon, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that the flooding caused power outages in several homes. The authority also noted issues with sewage overflow in at least one residence.
"Although the streets have been cleared, water remains inside many houses. In one of the worst-affected homes, the toilet system overflowed with sewage, and the power has been out since last night. The Council and MNDF are currently working together to assist that household," the NDMA stated.
