Gov’t Creates Special Task Force to Combat Extreme Weather

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu formulated a special nationwide task force to address the bad weather forecast by the Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) until January 18.

In a joint press conference held by the Maldives Police Service, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) today, Chief of Defense Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy said a joint operations centre had been established at MNDF headquarters to operate the task force from. 

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He said MNDF’s services will be provided from all command centres in the country and they have already started working to minimise damages, such as putting up sandbags in areas of Male’ that have been known to flood before. 

“Right now, in Male’, the MNDF has arranged so that [you] can get sandbags from three areas in Male’,” he said.

Sandbags are being provided in The Children’s Park, Salman Mosque, and Rasfannu Park, he said. 

Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau said the police and the Maldives’ defence force have been put on alert in preparation for the weather forecast for the next five days. They have activated their emergency response and are working with all police stations set up nationwide. 

Accommodations have been made to assist the local residents of inhabited islands where a police station is not active.

“We have made many, many plans for the [island] councils and have instructed them on what steps to take,” Police Commissioner Shujau said regarding the islands with no active police station.

He said that in such an active crisis situation, everyone needs to work together to decrease the damage caused. He noted that it is not only de-flooding of Male’ roads that are important, but encouraged people to be proactive and to seek out areas that are not commonly flooded to park their vehicles to prevent property damages. He noted their ongoing operations cause inconveniences to the people and requested understanding.

Hasan Hilmy, NDMA’s Chief Operator, reminded that the weather conditions forecasted are not limited to torrential rains. He urged caution regarding strong winds, which will bring rough seas as well. Additionally, surge waves have been forecasted, and he encouraged all marine vessel owners and farmers to take the necessary steps to minimise damages. 

 He noted that the Male City Council has been active since last night and has already put up sandbags in more than 50 areas that usually suffer water damage due to flooding. He urged Male residents to ensure that nothing that can be easily windswept, such as plants, is left on high buildings. 

He noted that this is not the first time they have carried out a disaster response, but this time, they are actively taking precautionary steps and want to instil a sense of trust in the authorities. He urged the local communities to work alongside them as well. Seventy-three islands in the Maldives that experience frequent flooding have already been provided with water pumps to deal with the flooding, and additional instructions have been provided to deal with other issues that may arise. 

Precautions Advised by NDMA

• Be aware of sandbags or similar barriers at doorways to  prevent flooding
• Avoid parking motorcycles in areas prone to flooding
• Take early precautions to prevent flooding by businesses, shops, and other facilities where valuable goods may be stored
• Relocate food supplies and appliances from flood-prone areas to safer areas
• Be mindful of  strong winds and secure items that may be easily windswept
• Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use
• Ensure you are updated on weather conditions before travelling. Ensure proper safety precautions are taken
• Prepare in advance by stocking on staple foods and essential supplies to avoid shortages
• Especially in Male’ City, do not drive vehicles during flooding conditions

Senior Climatologist Ahmed Shabin on X said the weather in the next five days is going to feel like a “deja vu of the New Year week episode.” However, due to the active Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) bound for landfall soon and the full moon tomorrow, the swell waves are expected to be enhanced. 

MJOs are a west-east bound tropic circulation that increases downpours and strengthens winds. According to MSS, Maldives suffered bad weather last August as well due to an MJO making.