K. Male'
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30 Dec 2023 | Sat 09:28
Flooding in Fuvahmulah City
Flooding in Fuvahmulah City
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Flooding in Fuvahmulah City
Fuvahmulah engulfed in heavy rains, flood damage
A number of alerts both white and yellow are being issued
Maldives continues to experience strong monsoon activities
Despite the intense rain and flooding, none of the residents had to be evacuated

At least 15 homes in the southern city of Fuvahmulah have been damaged in the wake of flooding caused by heavy rains prevailing across the country.

Fuvahmulah has been engulfed in heavy rain since Friday morning, causing deep flooding in some districts of the island and damage to several houses.

The city council and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) are jointly working to drain the water, which has entered 15 homes.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) revealed that although some houses were flooded, they were working to assess the overall damage and that there has not been a situation where people had to be evacuated from any house, due to floods, yet.

Due to the heavy rainfall, some other islands have been experiencing flooding as well. As such, heavy rain showers and flooding damaged a total of 97 houses across five districts of the southernmost city, Addu.

Houses in Addu City's Maradhoo district, Maradhoo-feydhoo district, Feydhoo district, Hithadhoo district and Hulhudhoo district were damaged due to heavy rain and flooding this Wednesday.

As such, the authority disclosed that 60 houses were flooded in Feydhoo district. Additionally, 13 houses in Maradhoo district, 10 houses in Hulhudhoo district, nine houses in Hithadhoo district and five houses in Maradhoo district were flooded.

Despite the intense rain and flooding, none of the residents had to be evacuated or provided humanitarian aid.

NDMA stated that the process of draining the city's neighborhoods and placing sandbags was carried out jointly with the help of Addu City Council, district offices, MNDF, Maldives Police Service (MPS), Maldives Red Crescent (MRC), Road Development Corporation as well as private companies and the public.

The authority stated that as soon as the flooding is under control and the water has been drained, the authority will begin the damage assessment process.

A number of alerts both white and yellow are being issued throughout the country as the island nation continues to experience strong monsoon activities, wreaking havoc in their wake across the country.

Between 8am Friday to 8am Saturday, Kaadehdhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll experienced 43.9 millimeters of rainfall.

Dhiffushi island of Kaafu atoll accumulated a total of 43.3 millimeters of rain during the period with Gaafaru island of Kaafu atoll having recorded 37.2 millimeters of rain and Thoddoo island of Alif Alif atoll having accumulated 36 millimeters of rain.

In addition to this, some other islands including Kaashidhoo island in Kaafu atoll accumulated 35.8 millimeters of rain and Alifushi island in Raa atoll accumulated 35.6 millimeters of rain.

35.5 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Hulhumalé, 31.5 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Hulhulé, 31 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Dharavandhoo island of Baa atoll, 29.3 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Malé, 29.8 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Funadhoo island of Shaviyani atoll, 24.6 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Komandoo island of Shaviyani atoll, 20.9 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Makunudhoo island of Haa Dhaal atoll, 17.1 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Muli island of Meemu atoll, 14.8 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Thinadhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll, 13.7 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Kulhudhuffushi City, 10.6 in Gan island of Seenu atoll, eight millimeters of rain was accumulated in Kadhdhoo island of Laamu atoll, 6.8 millimeters of rain was accumulated in in Addu City’s Hithadhoo district and 1.8 millimeters of rain was accumulated in Hanimaadhoo island of Haa Dhaal atoll.

Maldives experiences heavy rain showers and adverse weather conditions during the southwest monsoon as well as the northeast monsoon. Extensive periods of strong winds and adverse weather conditions are usually experienced mostly during the southwest monsoon.

Such adverse weather conditions have caused trees to uproot, roofs to be torn off, and heavy debris falling onto houses, causing immense damage. The squally weather during monsoon also causes extensive damage to crop in some islands and presents challenges for seafarers and fishermen as well. Some islands have been experiencing swell waves surges during high tides as well.

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