Mobile Pumps to Address Male’ Flooding as Temporary Measure, Says Minister

The Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib has announced the introduction of mobile trailer pumps as a temporary measure to alleviate flooding in Male’ City.

Speaking to Mihaaru News, the minister stressed the urgency of addressing flooding with immediate solutions while continuing efforts toward a long-term resolution.

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He emphasised the necessity of enhancing the city’s drainage capacity and revealed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is in the process of procuring mobile trailer pumps to bolster existing resources.

Currently, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) uses both ordinary pumps and a limited number of mobile trailer pumps to combat flooding.

During heavy rainfall last Friday, severe flooding inundated large parts of Malé. Dr Muthalib reported that MNDF pumps drained 30,000 tonnes of water, while temporary pump stations established at five locations across the city removed an additional 60,000 tonnes.

While mobile pumps offer an immediate solution, the minister highlighted that resolving the issue permanently would require redesigning the city’s infrastructure. He noted that rebuilding roads to address drainage shortcomings is a crucial step toward a sustainable solution.

As part of this long-term strategy, the government has secured USD100 million in aid from China for a road reconstruction project in Malé and Vilimalé. A team of Chinese consultants commenced feasibility studies in November last year, and the government aims to begin the project within the year.

The move underscores the administration’s commitment to tackling the recurring issue of urban flooding, which has long posed challenges for Malé residents.