NDMA urges caution amid flooding risks

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an appeal for residents to take precautionary measures as heavy rainfall threatens to cause flooding in several regions.

This warning follows a Yellow Alert issued by the Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office), predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms across the area stretching from Lhaviyani Atoll down to Vaavu Atoll. The alert also warns of strong winds, with gusts expected to reach up to 40 miles per hour during squalls.

In a post on X, the NDMA highlighted that the Met Office has identified a high probability of flooding due to the intensity of the forecasted downpour. The authority has strongly advised citizens to take proactive steps to minimize potential property damage.

Key recommendations include moving electronics, furniture, and other valuable household items to higher ground or water-resistant areas to protect them from rising water levels inside homes.  Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official weather updates and to ensure that drainage systems around their properties are clear to help mitigate the impact of the expected deluge.

Current weather forecasting applications suggest that this period of heavy rainfall is likely to persist throughout last night and today for the affected central atolls.