The Maldives National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported last night that 54 people have been evacuated from 11 houses to temporary shelters in response to heavy rainfall in Malé City.
During a press briefing to provide information about the damage caused by the rain, NDMA's CEO Hisan Hassan stated that the evacuation of the 54 affected people to safer places began last night.
"They are being provided with assistance for three days starting Sunday. For those three days, all their meals and stay in guest houses will be taken care of by the NDMA," Hisan said.
"And if there is still a situation where this period needs to be extended, we will endeavor to increase the provision of food and housing," he said.
Hisan said an assessment of the damage has already been conducted. However, teams will visit the 140 houses identified for a detailed assessment within the next two to three days to examine the damage to household items and the buildings.
He said that the government would provide the necessary financial assistance after the assessment is completed. Hisan emphasized that the NDMA will stand by the affected individuals until they recover from the damage and return to their previous lives.
"The floods have caused the most significant damage to household items. Ways to cook and eat have been disrupted," Hisan said.
He said that five other islands had reported flooding due to heavy rains. Hisan assured that the necessary assistance would be provided in collaboration with the island councils and other agencies without discrimination.
Some details of the disaster:
- Twenty houses in Kaaf atoll Guraidhoo were damaged due to flooding. (Out of the 20 houses, people in three had to be temporarily relocated to other shelters)
- Twenty houses in Kaaf atoll Huraa flooded.
- Water entered some houses in Kaaf atoll Himmafushi and Baa atoll Goidhoo.
- Eleven houses in Laamu atoll Fonadhoo were flooded and sandbags had to be used to control the flooding.
- Two houses in Nilandhoo were flooded and sandbags had to be used to control the flooding.
- Water entered one house in Laamu atoll Gan.
Hisan added that upon receiving reports of water entering houses, the NDMA initially focused on preventing further water ingress. He highlighted the collaborative efforts involving the Red Crescent, police, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), Malé Area Command, MNDF Fire, Malé City Council, and Health Protection Agency (HPA). "We also received help from various companies," he said.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu visited some of the houses damaged by the rain to assess the situation.
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