Muizzu's Flood Fix Claim Drowned as Male' Submerges Again

President Mohamed Muizzu's earlier declaration that Male's chronic flooding problem had been resolved rang hollow this week as heavy rains submerged large parts of the capital, causing widespread disruption. In a press conference back in 2015 when he was Housing Minister, Dr Muizzu announced that the issue was under control and that storm drains had been cleared and new pumps installed, promising that water would recede within hours. However, on Wednesday night, torrential rain left streets waterlogged for hours, stranding residents and crippling transport. Male' City Mayor Adam Azim blamed the crisis on the sudden removal of water pumps from flood-prone areas without a backup plan, carried out as part of road construction work. "The flooding has worsened because the pumps were removed with no backup plan in place," Mayor Azim wrote on X. He called for an urgent, unified management system for the stormwater drainage network, which he said is currently split between multiple agencies, undermining effective maintenance. Residents faced severe difficulties, with taxis scarce and fares surging, while many were unable to travel for work or medical appointments. The recurrence has revived memories of Muizzu's 2015 promise and sparked fresh questions over the government's handling of the capital's drainage system.