95% of Houses Damaged in Noolvaram Flooding, Council Chairman Says

The Nolovaram Council has reported that severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall has damaged 95 percent of houses on the island, significantly hindering recovery efforts. Council Chairman Ahmed Amir stated that the heavy rain began around 20:30 hours on Thursday, October 22, and continued until the following morning at approximately 06:30 hours. Speaking to local media, Amir explained that emergency teams from the council responded immediately to reports of damage, using sandbags to prevent water from entering homes and working to drain water that had already entered. As conditions worsened, assistance was requested from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), but initial support was delayed due to incompatibility between the MNDF's pumps and the island's electrical sockets. Through coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority and the constituency's Member of Parliament, Mohamed Rashid, pumping operations eventually began on October 24 using pumps brought from the Coast Guard's vessel Ghazi Manor. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also sent a message expressing concern and inquiring about the need for emergency pumps. By 08:20 hours this morning, all floodwater on the island had been drained. However, approximately 40 residences sustained damage, and affected families are currently staying with relatives. The council is working to help residents return to their homes but faces various challenges in the relocation process. Ahmed Amir expressed gratitude to the Police, MNDF, Road Development Corporation (RDC), Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), and the constituency MP for their support during the crisis.