Malé, Maldives – National Maldives Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has announced today that MVR 1.4 million is to be distributed to those who suffered major damages during the heavy rainfall the country faced last month.
Statistics from NDMA shows that eight islands were majorly affected by the severe weather in May. They are Addu City, Fuvahmulah City, R. Dhuvaafaru, HDh. Kulhuduffushi, N. Magoodhoo, HA. Dhidhdhoo and HA. Uligan. From these islands, a total of 384 houses are recorded to have had major damages that had affected the daily lives of people due to the weather. About over three-quarter of these houses are from the southernmost atoll, Addu City.
While the total damage cost for all of these amounts up to MVR 4,612,924, the government has decided to aid the affected people with a total of MVR 1,436,864 to recover from the incident.
As an effect of a cyclone located near HA. Thuraakurnu, Maldives Meteorological Office warned in May that Maldives is expected to see strong winds and rough seas within the first weeks of the month and noted that especially that the prevailing southwest monsoon will bring rain and isolated heavy showers to the country.
On May 13, the Add City Council revealed that 315 houses in Addu were affected by heavy rainfall in the Southern Maldives within only 72 hours. Mayor of Addu City, Abdulla Sodiq told that while 315 house were affected, 175 houses had reported major damages due to flooding. He also added that out of these 175 houses, people from four houses in Feydhoo had to be changed to a temporary shelter. Mayor also added that this is the worst hit time for the city due to heavy rain.
