Floods
At least 30 flood events have been recorded in the Maldives over the last 50 years, including major floods in the capital city, Male. It is the most frequent natural disaster in Maldives. The main cause of flooding was the raising of water level caused by breaking waves. Sea levels in the region are rising at a rate at a rate of about 4 mm per year.
Maldives is situated in virtually storm free zone, the influence of storms in the northern and southern Indian Ocean is felt. Flooding and loss of property have been reported due to swells generated from these storms.
The series of swells between 10 – 15 feet hit the islands of Maldives on 15 – 17 May 2007. An estimated 68 islands in 16 atolls were affected, causing flood of up to 600 m from the coastline. Addu atoll in the south of the Maldives was severely flooded after several hours of torrential rainfall, causing damage to over 297 homes and other infrastructure.
References
MEE, (2016). Second National Communication of Maldives to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: Ministry of Environment and Energy.
MEE. (2017). State of the Environment 2016, Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Mohamed Waheed, Aftermath of the streets in Male City following heavy rains, ‘Heavy rains cause flood, damages in Male City’, vNews, 30 October 2014. Link