Severe weather, including heavy rain and strong winds, wreaked havoc across the Maldives on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction. Twenty islands bore the brunt of the adverse conditions, with floodwaters inundating homes and infrastructure.
In the capital city of Malé, 256 households were flooded. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) responded to reports of damage from all 20 affected islands. In Malé, 23 people from five families sought refuge in temporary shelters, while families on four islands—Baarah, Kelaa, Ihavandhoo, and Hoarafushi—were also forced to relocate.
The northern islands suffered the most significant damage. Likewise, three islands in the southernmost Addu City sustained considerable damages due to the relentless rains.
The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) recorded 89.4 millimeters of rainfall in Malé over the past 48 hours. In response to the severe weather conditions, the government closed all government offices and schools nationwide on Wednesday.
