The Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) has reported that 30,569 tonnes of water (approximately 30 million litres) were pumped out during a massive dewatering operation to address the severe flooding in Malé caused by continuous heavy rain on Friday.

The rainfall, which began around 11:00 AM and lasted until 9:00 PM, led to nearly all streets in Malé being submerged, with water entering homes and businesses. The Maafannu ward was the worst affected area, with floodwaters rising over two feet in some places.

To manage the situation, MNDF deployed pumps across Malé and initiated dewatering efforts at 11:37 AM. During the 21-hour operation, an average of 24,397 litres of water was pumped out every hour. In Maafannu, a waterway was cut into the pavement near Rasfannu to expedite water drainage.

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) recorded the highest rainfall between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, measuring 60mm. Despite the extensive flooding and damage, the MET Office predicts an improvement in weather conditions over the next 48 hours.

The flooding caused significant damage to homes, prompting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to provide temporary shelter for 226 individuals from 36 affected residences.

Authorities and residents are now focused on recovery and prevention measures to mitigate the impact of future weather events.