Floods hit northern islands as Nolhivaram council asks MNDF for help

Heavy rain has flooded homes across several northern islands, with water entering about 95 percent of houses in Haa Dhaalu Nolhivaram, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on 23 October.

Nolhivaram council has asked the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for help after channels cut in five areas of the island and pumps failed to drain the water, NDMA said, citing the council. Rain had been falling since the previous night.

Many households in Nolhivaram have lost belongings, and some families have been moved to other homes, the authority said.

Hundreds of homes affected

In Kulhudhuffushi, more than 190 homes have reported flooding. The city council, police, MNDF Fire and Rescue Service and the Maldivian Red Crescent are pumping water out of the city, and the council is assessing the condition of affected houses, NDMA said. The rain over the city had stopped by late morning.

In Nolhivaranfaru, more than 60 homes have reported flooding, with water rising through the floors of many houses and damaging belongings. Police and residents are laying sandbags, and the council said rain was still falling. NDMA said the situation had not reached the point where residents needed to be evacuated.

In Laamu Naifaru, two homes have reported flooding. No one has had to leave their home, and the council is laying sandbags and draining water, NDMA said.

The authority said it is monitoring the affected islands closely and working with island councils to identify people who need humanitarian assistance.

Weather outlook

The Maldives Meteorological Service issued a white alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms, with gusts of up to 40 mph, from Haa Alifu to Alifu Dhaalu atolls between 10am and 3pm on Friday, and a second white alert for strong winds and rough seas from Haa Alifu to Vaavu until 6pm. It had earlier placed Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu atolls on orange alert overnight.

Seas are forecast to be rough, with waves of 4 to 7 feet. The Met office has said heavy rain is expected to continue on Saturday, with the weather beginning to improve from Sunday.