Normalcy has returned to most islands hit by severe flooding due to heavy rains throughout Friday after water receded from flooded areas, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said Saturday.
In addition to the torrential downpour several islands had also experienced wave swell surges and authorities with the assistance of the local councils are assessing the damage, NDMA said.
Flooding due to wave swell surges have been reported from Narudhoo, Shaviyani Atoll and Inguraidhoo, Raa Atoll while flooding from heavy rains have been reported from Kudahuvadhoo, Dhaalu Atoll, Meedhoo, Dhaalu Atoll, Nilandhoo, Faafu Atoll and Magoodhoo, Faafu Atoll.
Dozens of houses in these islands had reported flood damage, but no evacuations were required and residents have returned to their respective homes after the water receded, NDMA added.
The capital Male’ also suffered in the torrential downpour on Friday, with large parts especially in the west of the capital flooded in knee-deep water.
Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) which had led to drainage operation had said the emergency drainage system established last year by this Administration had eased the efforts.
MNDF’s Lt. Col. Faiz Rashad told PSM News that the drainage operation started just before noon on Friday with 27 pumps installed in seven areas of Male’ and had continued round the lock until around 8.30am on Saturday.
Faiz said the sheer volume of rainfall had impeded the efforts to drain the flood quickly. However, the new drainage system had made the efforts a lot easier, he said.
"Instead of the pipes that we used to lay across the roads, we installed pumps in the pits. We installed seven pumps in some pits. We also installed the 10,000 tonnes per minute pump in the morning. So the pits made our work a whole lot easier,” he explained.
According to Faiz, waste collected inside the drains had compounded the flooding. Despite some criticism, he assured that the MNDF had acted swiftly with the bad weather warnings.
MNDF had also assisted local councils to put up sand bags and pumps to combat flooding in the islands.