Flooding caused by heavy rain prompts dewatering efforts in Male’

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has initiated operations to drain floodwaters from the streets of Malé following heavy rainfall associated with the current spell of inclement weather affecting the country.

The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has indicated that heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to persist in parts of the northern and central atolls throughout today.

In response to flooding in the capital caused by the intense downpours, the MNDF confirmed that efforts are underway to remove excess water from affected areas. Fire and Rescue Service teams have deployed pumps in two locations within the Maafannu district to support the drainage operations.

Flooding in Malé during periods of heavy rainfall remains a longstanding issue that has yet to be fully resolved. Despite various initiatives undertaken by the government and the Malé City Council—including road redevelopment projects and routine maintenance of drainage systems—the problem continues to persist.

According to the weather forecast issued by the Met Office, in effect until 18:00pm today, winds in the northern atolls are expected to blow from the west and northwest, while other regions will experience winds from the southwest and west.

The Met Office also noted that, although this period is typically associated with high temperatures in the Maldives, the current rainfall is linked to a cloud mass developing over the region. As a result, perceived temperatures are expected to remain elevated despite the rain.