Government to budget for sustainable flood prevention

Next year’s national budget will include funds for a sustainable flood prevention programme, President Mohamed Nasheed has said.

Addressing the nation in his weekly radio address, President Nasheed said some islands in the south were prone to flooding in the rainy season due to poor drainage and sewerage systems. Next year’s budget will allocate funds to tackle the issue, he said.

“In [Seenu] Feydhoo and [Gaaf Dhaal] Thinadhoo as well if we are unable to complete work on a drainage system and sewers sustainably with a long-term plan, we will see flooding every rainy season and features that we do not want to see among us,” he said. “Therefore, God willing, my aim is to try and find a permanent solution.”

Among accidents reported at sea during the past week, a safari vessel ran into a reef near Meemu Mulaku and a ferry from Thilafushi carrying tin capsized at the Male’ southwest harbour entrance.

Moreover, heavy flooding caused power blackouts and damages to property in Gaaf Dhaal Thinadhoo and Addu Atoll Hithadhoo.

According to the Department of Meteorology, the heavy rainfall of the southwest monsoon is set to continue to the end of the month.

Speaking on the subject of civil service reform, President Nasheed said discussions were still ongoing between the government and the Civil service Commission on restoring civil service salaries to previous levels, streamlining the civil service, and establishing administrative framework for local councils.

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