Maldives is grappling with heavy rainfall triggered by a weather trough, causing severe flooding in K. Maafushi, a prominent island popular with tourists and locals. In response, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has mobilized personnel to mitigate the situation by initiating draining operations.
According to an official statement from the MNDF, soldiers from the Male’ Area Command and the Maafushi Fire Station are actively working to alleviate the flooding on the island. The ongoing efforts are part of a coordinated response to the adverse weather conditions.
ރާއްޖެއަށް ކުރަމުންދާ ވިއްސާރައިގައި ކ.މާފުށީގައި ފެން ބޮޑުވެގެން، ފެން ހިންދުމުގައި އެމްއެންޑީއެފް މާލޭ އޭރިއާ ކޮމާންޑް، މާފުށީ ފަޔަރ ސްޓޭޝަނުގެ ސިފައިން ދަނީ ހަރަކާތްތެރިވަމުން. pic.twitter.com/TgQG6jhvdc
— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) January 25, 2025
The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has forecasted continued rainy weather across the central and northern regions of the Maldives. Some islands are likely to experience heavy downpours accompanied by thunderstorms, heightening concerns about further disruptions.
In their advisory, the Met Office highlighted specific wind patterns across the nation. Winds in the southern atolls are expected to blow from the northwest and north, while in other areas, they will shift from the north and northeast at speeds ranging between 8 and 18 miles per hour. During squalls, wind speeds could surge to 30 miles per hour, creating potentially hazardous conditions.
މިހާރު ކުރަމުން ދާ ވިއްސާރާގައި މާފުށީގެ މަގުތަކުގައި ފެންބޮޑުވާ މައްސަލަ ހައްލުކުރުމަށް މިކައުންސިލް އަދި ކ. މާފުށީ…
Posted by Secretariat of the Maafushi Council, Male’ Atoll on Saturday, January 25, 2025
Given the forecast of heavy rainfall and strong winds, especially in the northern atolls, the Met Office has urged the public to exercise caution and remain vigilant. Authorities have emphasized the importance of preparedness as they continue to monitor the evolving weather situation.
The flooding in Maafushi serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather in low-lying island nations like the Maldives, where climate resilience remains a critical focus.
