Tidal waves flooded the island of Alifu Dhaalu Atoll Dhigurah, causing more damage than the 2004 tsunami impact, says the island's council.
The council's president Ibrahim Usman, speaking with "Mihaaru News", confirms waves kept flooding the island from midnight until dawn the early hours of dawn on Thursday. Tidal waves seeped into the island from its east end.
Usman, who is currently in Male' City for vacation, had spoken with some of his fellow islanders to acquire intimate knowledge of the incident's aftermath. According to the councilman, the incident was rare and had not preceded before except for the 2004 tsunami. However, the 2004 tsunami had not brought about similar damage; in fact, it had been lesser according to Usman.
The island does not experience tidal wave flooding during high tides, unlike several other residential islands that face the issue regularly.
Reports claim a few residences on the west end of the island had experienced floods during the 2004 tsunami, but without any notable damages to property. However, Thursday morning's incident had left some residents with significant damages to their household appliances.
Usman further confirms damages to a few commercial outlets, including local shops, as well as berthed vessels by the harbor.
"Witnesses claim the waves reached up to 13 to 15 feet, some had actually assumed it was another tsunami," Usman said.
Though there were no casualties, some of the residences have been completely vacated owing to the damage.
The island of Dhigurah is a popular local tourism destination, with several notable guesthouse properties. Many of these properties reported varying levels of damages during Thursday morning's tidal wave flooding.
Meanwhile, Dhigurah council is currently attempting to assess the overall damage to the island, which is hindered due to continued rainfall.
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