Heavy rain floods streets of Male’

Heavy rain resulted in extensive flooding in the greater Male’ area on Thursday, with flood water seeping into homes and shops.

The flooding was especially worse in some of the areas of Majeedhee Magu and Izzuddin Magu.

Photos and videos shared on social media showed the flooding also affected the main government hospital, Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) had previously stated that the storm drain system installed in Male’ City would automatically activate in response to flooding.

However, flooding remains a recurrent problem in Maldives’ congested capital.

The extensive flooding in Male’ on Thursday resulted in criticism against the government.

Maldives Meteorological Service said it recorded 58 millimeters of rainfall in Hulhule’ as heavy rain lashed the greater Male’ area from 08:00 pm Wednesday to 08:00 am Thursday.

The service recorded 62.1 millimeters of rain in S. Hulhudhoo, and 70.4 millimeters of rain in S. Gan.

Maldives Meteorological Service expects torrential rain and thunderstorms will prevail over a large part of central and southern Maldives over the next 24 hours, with gusts of up to 45 miles per hour.

Seas are expected to be rough.

A yellow alert for torrential rain and thunderstorms has been issued for the areas from L. Atoll to Addu Atoll, and from K. Atoll to V. Atoll.

The national weather service forecasts the bad weather will prevail until Saturday.

Seafarers have been advised to take precautions and check the latest weather updates.