Heavy Rain Floods Haa Dhaalu Atoll: Over 190 Homes Affected in Kulhudhuffushi

Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in two islands of Haa Dhaalu Atoll, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported. In Kulhudhuffushi City, more than 190 homes have reported flooding, while in Nolhivaranfaru over 60 homes have been inundated. Water is entering many houses, damaging belongings. In Nolhivaranfaru, police and residents are working together to place sandbags. In Kulhudhuffushi, the city council, police, MNDF Fire and Rescue, and the Maldives Red Crescent (MRC) are jointly pumping water out of the area. The NDMA said no evacuations have been required so far. The heavy rain is being driven by a active weather system. The national weather agency recorded 188.3 mm of rainfall in Kulhudhuffushi over the past 24 hours, the highest in the country. Hanimaadhoo in the same atoll received 125.7 mm. The weather office forecasts continued heavy rain in various parts of the Maldives over the next 24 hours and has warned mariners of rough seas.