Islands face damages due to recent harsh weather

Heavy rain and harsh winds during the past week has caused damages to the capital Male’ and other islands across the country.

Minister of State for Defence and National Security Ahmed Mohamed, who is currently in charge of the National Disaster Management Center (NDMC) told Sun that the island of Fuvahmulah on the south of Maldives, received the most damage during the recent surges in weather.

“The harsh winds that hit Fuvahmulah yesterday afternoon had blown off roofs. A large coconut tree had fallen on top of house and a large tree had fallen on top of the Council Office. There are additional damages as well. An estimate of damages is now being assessed,” Ahmed Mohamed said.

The State Minister noted that Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo (south of the country) had also sustained damages due to the recent weather. He said that heavy rains had cause flooding in the island, which had resulted in damage to property.

“In Thinadhoo, some of the roofs of houses were blown off due to strong winds. Heavy rain had caused flooding throughout the island. The flood water had seeped into the houses damaging people’s property. We are also receiving reports that they are short of food,” Ahmed Mohamed said.

Raa Rashgetheemu Council Vice President Ali Hameed said today that lightening had struck the island’s Council office on the 27th of last month, rendering all electronic systems useless. He said that equipment inside the island’s health centre and power house have also been damaged due to the lightning storm.

He said that the island’s banana plantations and certain electronic devices used in homes were also affected by lightening.

No persons or structures were damaged during the incident, Ali Hameed said.

The National Meteorological Centre revealed that heavy rains are expected in central capital Male’, north and south of the country, within the next 24 hours. Rough seas and strongs winds upto 13 to 20 miles per hour are also expected in the south of the country.

The Centre has also warned to be cautious of flooding due to gushes and tidal waves in the south of the country, especially during high tide.