Record rainfall causes severe flooding in Maldives

Heavy rainfall hit Maldives, a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls, flooding streets and homes of capital Malé.

According to the Maldives Meteorological Services, the capital island received 223.5 mm (8.79 inches) of rain between 08:00 and 20:00 LT on December 5, 2018, breaking the previous 24-hr record of 200 mm (7.87 inches) registered on December 11, 1998. In just a few hours, the city received 149 mm (5.86 inches).

The national 24-hr record is 228.4 mm (8.99 inches) registered on November 24, 2018, on the southernmost island of Gan.

As reported by the Maldives Independent, the rains flooded many roads with up to 60 cm (2 feet) of water.

The National Disaster Management Center said floodwaters caused damage in 117 homes, forcing a temporary evacuation of 20 people from two residences.

Floods also caused heavy losses to several businesses and temporarily ceased broadcasting of Villa TV after its equipment on the ground floor was damaged.

State Electricity Company said power was cut off to 168 homes.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the severe flooding was caused by a damaged drainage system. 

Featured image: Floods in Male, Maldives on December 5, 2018. Credit: Maldives Police