President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ordered the closure of government offices and institutions on Sunday, 2 March 2025, in response to severe flooding caused by torrential rains.
The announcement was made by Heena Waleed, the Chief Spokesperson at the President's Office, through her official X account. The president's decision follows continuous rainfall, which has resulted in significant public hardship.
The incessant downpour on Saturday led to extensive flooding in Malé City, including Malé, Hulhumalé, and Hulhulé—home to Velana International Airport—and several outer atolls. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and other agencies have been mobilised to mitigate the impact of floodwaters on households and properties in the capital.
According to MNDF, 17 pumps were deployed across six locations to remove floodwater, with an estimated 17,000 tonnes of water already pumped out. The MNDF has also provided assistance to 131 properties and supplied 976 sandbags to help control and mitigate the flooding.
The MNDF is also extending support to five other islands severely affected by the flooding: Huraa, Guraidhoo, Himmafushi, Thulusdhoo, and Maafushi in Kaafu Atoll, and Maamigili in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported significant damage to four properties in Malé due to recent flooding. Chief Executive Hisan Hassan stated that floodwaters infiltrated these buildings from beneath the floors. The affected properties are situated in the Maafanu ward of the city.
The NDMA noted that earlier precautionary measures played a crucial role in preventing more extensive damage. The agency provided shelter for 40 individuals displaced by the flooding, according to Hassan.
Upon receiving the weather warning from the Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office), NDMA teams swiftly mobilised to distribute sandbags to 160 properties identified as most vulnerable to flood damage, Hassan said. This operation was conducted with the assistance of the Malé City Council and other relevant agencies.
The Met Office reported that the automatic weather station in Dhiffushi, Kaafu Atoll, recorded 296 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours, marking the highest daily accumulated rainfall in the country's history.
A Yellow Alert has been issued by the Met Office, targeting the region between Haa Alifu and Baa Atolls, effective from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Met Office has warned of torrential rain and thunderstorms with gusts of wind reaching 45 mph during this period. Another yellow alert was in place for the region between Baa and Meemu Atolls until 11:00 a.m. today.