The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has revealed that the congested capital Malé City recorded the most rainfall in the past 24 hours.
According to information issued by the department, Malé experienced 130.7 millimeters of rainfall from 8am Friday to 8am Saturday.
MMS went on to reveal that Hulhulé recorded the second highest amount of rainfall. Hulhulé recorded 79.5 millimeters of rain, while Thoddoo island of Alif Alif atoll recorded the third highest amount of rainfall. The department reported that the island experienced 70.3 millimeters of rainfall.
Due to heavy rainfall causing flooding on the streets of Malé, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Fire and Rescue Service has been working to drain water by stationing pumps across various areas of Malé.
Areas where pumps have been placed to drain water include:
- Four pumps near West Park
- Three pumps near IGMH area
- Three pumps near Maafannu Ferry Terminal
- One pump near Salman Mosque area
- Four pumps near Boduvalhu
- One pump near the Children's Park
- One pump near Bihuge
- One pump near MPL
MNDF’s Fire and Rescue Service is currently working with 17 pumps placed across seven regions of Malé to drain flood water. According to MNDF, they have drained 18,201 tons of water so far.
In addition to this, MNDF’s Malé Area Command has provided assistance to 104 houses and placed 528 sandbags as part of their ongoing operation, so far.
The department has been issuing a number of alerts; white, yellow as well as orange due to the worsening weather conditions across the Maldives. MMS most recently issued a yellow alert from Shaviyani Atoll to Meemu Atoll for torrential rain showers and thunderstorms.
MMS revealed that rain showers with thunderstorms are likely over northern and central atolls on Saturday. Heavy rain is also expected to batter some islands. MMS predicts that seas will be rough over a wide area.
