Addu City Council has appealed to residents to avoid using the Link Road unless unavoidable due to severe flooding during the current heavy rainfall. 

Southern atolls have been severely affected due to ongoing adverse weather patterns, with Addu being the most seriously affected. 

In an announcement made this morning, the Addu City Council stated the condition of Link Road has worsened due to heavy rainfall, raising the risk of danger. To ensure public safety, it is most advisable to avoid using the road at this time, the council said. 

While avoiding use of the Link Road, which has several potholes, has been advised, the council has also appealed to the public to exercise caution when travelling through other streets in the city, bearing in mind the heavy flooding. Motorists are advised to drive carefully at slower speeds under the present conditions. 

Dewatering through pumps and pipes are ongoing at several areas of the city. Motorists are also advised to be alert towards these set ups when navigating the streets. 

Addu has been experiencing heavy rainfall since last Thursday. This has affected several households, with flood water causing extensive damage. 

As per the latest data shared by the National Disaster Management Authority, over 70 houses have been affected by flood water. One of these houses has become uninhabitable, and its residents have been provided with temporary shelter. 

Maldives Meteorological Service has issued a White Alert from Baa Atoll to Laamu Atoll. 

Windspeeds in the area are expected to generally be between 9mph and 24mph, with gusts of 40mph. 

Western and northwestern winds of 13 to 23mph are forecast, with gusts of 45mph. 

Seas are expected to be rough, with wave heights of 4 to 7 feet.