Heavy rains damage 95 percent of Nolhivaram homes; major challenges ahead, says Council

Heavy rains have affected 95 percent of households in HDh. Nolhivaram since Thursday night. 

Council President Ahmed Amir told Sun that the rains began at 8:30 pm on Thursday, with police reporting the first case of flooding in a home shortly after midnight. A council team was immediately dispatched to the house, where they placed sandbags to block water entry and used buckets to remove floodwater.

Amir said the rain intensified around 10:00 pm and continued until 6:30 am the next morning. As reports of damage increased, council teams were deployed across the island to assist affected homes. He said six sand drainage channels were cut toward the sea to help divert the floodwater.

As conditions worsened, the council requested assistance from the MNDF. However, technical issues, including pump sockets incompatible with the island’s power outlets, prevented MNDF from providing immediate support. Drainage work was later carried out on Saturday the 24th with pumps brought in by the Coast Guard vessel Ghazi, following coordination by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and constituency MP Mohamed Rasheed.

Amir said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had also sent a message to check on the island’s situation, and he informed the President that an emergency pump was urgently needed. Floodwater was fully drained by 8:20 am on Tuesday the 27th, according to Amir.

Around 40 households were affected, with residents currently staying with family and friends. Amir said many are trying to return home but are facing various challenges due to the extent of the damage. He thanked the police, MNDF, RDC, MTCC and the constituency MP for their assistance in draining the water.