Disasters
The natural disasters which are risky to the Maldives, as identified by the Disaster Risk Profile of Maldives done in 2006 include earthquakes and tsunamis, cyclones/thunderstorms, floods (due to rain), droughts, storm surges and strong winds and tornadoes (UNDP, 2006). The main impacts are due to flooding due to rainfalls, swells and tidal waves. Compared to the other countries in the region, Maldives is less prone to cyclones, it experiences cyclonic disturbances during the south-west monsoon season from October to January.
Maldives highly vulnerable to natural disasters and extreme climatic events because of its fragile ecological profile, low elevation and economic dependence on limited sectors.
Major natural disasters that hit Maldives in recent years
- Indian Ocean Tsunami (December 2004)
- Storm surges (15-17 May 2007)
- Cyclone Nilam (October-November 2012)
- Cyclone Madi (6-13 December 2013)
- Addu City Flood Crisis – due to torrential rainfall (24-25 November 2015)
References
MEE. (2017). State of the Environment 2016, Ministry of Environment and Energy.
MEE, (2016). Second National Communication of Maldives to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: Ministry of Environment and Energy.