Temporary Measures to Mitigate Flooding in Malé Near Completion

The Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure is on track to complete the installation of temporary drainage systems in flood-prone areas of the capital by the end of this month. 

The systems have already been implemented in three of the most severely affected locations: West Park, the Villimale Ferry Terminal, and the area near the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

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Minister of Construction and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib, stated that these interim measures would help alleviate some of the challenges residents face during the rainy season. In a post on X, he highlighted the collaborative efforts of the ministry, the Maldives National Defence Force, and the Road Development Corporation (RDC) to reduce daily disruptions caused by flooding.

Work on the drainage systems began in May, with plans to cover five key areas across the city. Currently, three of these systems are fully operational. While not a permanent solution, the temporary drainage systems are designed to mitigate flooding and improve drainage flow until the city’s broader road development plans are completed.

Dr Muththalib added that the ministry is committed to ensuring regular maintenance of these stormwater management systems in Malé. A permanent solution is expected to follow upon the completion of a road development project, funded by a USD 130 million grant from the Chinese government, which aims to address the long-standing flooding issues that have affected residents for years.