President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has constituted a national task force to combat disasters ahead of a fresh spell of bad weather across the country.
The task force comprises of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), Maldives Police Service (MPS) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Storm clouds have gathered over Male’ since early Monday with intermittent showers, with Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) warning that the weather is expected to worsen after sunset.
The cyclone, which has formed in the southwest of the Bay of Bengal, is now moving west of the island nation, with heavy rains expected late Monday continuing till Tuesday morning, MET Office said.
Speaking at a press conference held by the task force on Monday, Chief of Defense Force Major General Ibrahim Hilml said the joint operation center of the task force has been established at the army headquarters in Bandaara Koshi.
Hilmy said the MNDF was ready to provide assistance to the people to limit the damage caused by the impending bad weather. The army is ready to put up sandbags and man the pump stations in the city while soldiers across the Atolls were also on standby, he said.
"There are regional command centers in four regions. We have arranged for the entire country to be covered. Sandbags will be available in three locations in Male’ city,” Hilmy explained.
Speaking at the press conference, Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau said similar to MNDF, police were also on standby Male’ and the Atolls ahead of the bad weather spell. Services have also been arranged to provide assistance to islands where police posts have not been established, he added.
Shujau has asked the public to take some measures to mitigate the damage caused by the bad weather, urging them to restrict vehicle movement in flooded areas.
"We are closing flooded roads. This is to minimise the damage. So it is highly recommended that the public follows police instructions,” he explained.
Speaking at the press conference, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chief Executive Hisan Hassan said the agency's emergency operations have been activated and preparations are underway to provide assistance.
Hisan shared details of the work being done to put up sandbags in the homes most likely to be affected by flooding. More than 57 homes have been fortified with sandbags, he said, adding that efforts to cover more homes are still underway.
He also urged people to take personal responsibility to mitigate the damage caused by the heavy rains and possible flooding.
"It is important to park motorcycles in safe areas. Small businesses, restaurants and cafes should keep valuables safe from flooding. It is very important to prepare for strong winds and wave swell surges. It is also important to protect agricultural fields,” Hisan urged.
The MET Office has also urged people to take immediate precautions ahead of the fresh bad weather spell.