NDMA prioritizes damage assessment and rapid assistance during heavy rain

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has stated that the top priority is to identify damage caused by disasters and provide assistance quickly. Speaking on PSM's Raajjemithaa program, NDMA's Director of Policy and Planning, Kashif Naseer, said that the authority is currently monitoring the situation across the Maldives during the ongoing heavy rainfall. He noted that NDMA is working with local councils to gather information and that the emergency management teams are actively responding. After the flooding subsides, damage assessments will be conducted in collaboration with councils, and necessary assistance will be provided based on the reports. Naseer also highlighted that under NDMA's Community Resilience Building program, disaster management plans and community emergency response teams have been established in 72 inhabited islands. Currently, assistance is being provided for damage to homes and belongings. If a home becomes uninhabitable due to flooding, the priority is to pump out water and facilitate the return of residents, with temporary shelter arranged in guesthouses or schools if needed. Naseer urged the public to pay attention to weather warnings from the Met Office, keep sandbags ready, and take precautions to protect property in flood-prone areas.