Azim: Soldiers, councilors can stay home in rain

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the Male’ City Council will stay at home during the heavy rains in the city, Mayor Adam Azim said on Tuesday evening.

During a city council meeting with the residents of Male' city, the mayor stated that previously, the populace had been disheartened by the city council's performance.

As the first six months of the council's term come to an end, he said that it is gratifying to learn that essential services have been rendered to the populace.

Azim stated that the grievances of Malé residents pertain to the challenges experienced in daily life within the city. Specifically, Azim cited the issue of street flooding caused by uncleared drainage systems.

With a solution to the problem, Azim said smiling, 'everyone' can now sleep peacefully as water no longer enters homes when it rains.

Further, Azim said that if it rains, he too could not sleep. It was because he could not stop thinking about the plight of so many people suffering in the city.

When he took office, over 300 houses in the city were taking damage and losing furniture due to flooding in the streets.

“We aimed to keep [the heads of ministries] at home, to keep the army and police at home. Also keep our employees at home when it rains. Hopefully today they [the heads of ministries] will be at home and the army will be at home. The police will also stay home. The city's hardworking employees will also be at home when it rains”.

Azim thanked the city councilors for their efforts.

It is important to note that in the event of heavy rainfall, certain roads experience flooding to a depth of up to the knees. In such instances, MNDF soldiers are deployed to the streets. The roads are typically drained and restored to their normal condition within a short timeframe.