Mayor Azim: Wednesday night's flooding in Male' caused by removal of drainage pumps without a backup plan
22 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 09:33Male' City Mayor Adam Azim stated that the worsening flooding on the capital's streets is a direct result of removing water pumps without a viable backup plan. Highlighting that the fragmentation of the storm water management system across various state institutions hinders effective maintenance, the Mayor called for urgent structural reforms to provide a lasting solution to the issue.
Efforts are underway to stack sandbags in front of a shop in Male' to prevent flooding, following heavy rainfall on Wednesday night. | RaajjeMV
Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has stated that the severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the capital, and the resulting hardships faced by residents, are unacceptable. He attributed the escalation of the issue to the removal of water drainage pumps without a viable backup plan in place.
Following the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in Male' on Wednesday night, Mayor Azim expressed his deep concern over the significant difficulties faced by residents due to the submerged streets. He stated that it is unacceptable for citizens to endure such conditions again, especially after substantial efforts over the past two years had successfully yielded effective solutions to the city's flooding issues.
Mayor Azim stated that the situation escalated because water pumps in the most flood-prone areas were abruptly removed under the guise of road construction projects, without any backup plan in place.
Furthermore, he noted that the fragmentation of Male's storm water system management among various institutions remains a significant obstacle to the effective oversight of the entire network.
Mayor Azim has called for an immediate interim solution for the removed pumps and urged the establishment of a robust, centralized mechanism to manage the drainage system effectively. Furthermore, Mayor Azim appealed to all relevant institutions to collaborate immediately to find a swift and permanent solution to the ongoing hardships faced by the public.
Historically, the Maafannu ward has consistently suffered the most significant flooding and damage whenever Male' experiences heavy rainfall. While Mayor Azim noted that water pumps had been removed, it has been some time since the final segment of Ameenee Magu was reopened to the public after its asphalt was stripped and the road was redeveloped to modern standards. Currently, development work is underway on the segment of Boduthakurufaanu Magu, specifically the area where it intersects with Ameenee Magu.
