Tornado hits Nilandhoo

A tornado has landed in Faafu atoll Nilandhoo causing massive damage to property.

The island has been experiencing torrential rain since last night and the tornado hit the island today around 12:30 p.m.

While the roof thown off from a lot of houses, a man who spoke from the island said that the Bank of Maldives (BML) branch on the island took the most damage. The man told Sun Media that it was destroyed beyond use.

With the branch destroyed beyond use, the things inside are now being taken under police custody.

The man who spoke from the island said that torrential rains have caused damages to numerous houses and some trees have fallen onto the roads and houses but the most damage is from the roof being blown off.

National Disaster Management Center (NDMC) said that they have received reports of six houses being destroyed in the "strong wind" that hit Nilandhoo and they are working to accumulate the extent of the total damage.

Minister of Defence and National Security, Adam Shareef Umar said that a team from the MNDF and the NDMC will leave to Nilandhoo to check the damages caused in the tornado and provide assistance from the government.

The NDMC has warned that strong winds are causing massive damages in difference incidents and has advised to ration food in case the turbulent seas impede transportation of staple and other goods.

Coastguard has requested to ensure and secure proper safety when traveling especially on long journeys carrying cargo.