Government spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali announced on twitter Saturday afternoon that the president had decided to send as his special envoy finance minister Abdulla Jihad to Addu. The minister would inspect the damages caused by flooding in Feydhoo ward of the city, he added. The spokesperson, however, did not specify when the minister would travel to the city. The president’s decision comes days after some lawmakers on Thursday lambasted President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom for keeping quiet over the damages caused by flooding in Addu after record rainfall. Meteorology department had said Addu atoll experienced 228.4 mm rainfall between 8am Tuesday to 8am Wednesday. The previous highest rainfall recorded in 24 hours was in 2002 where Gaaf Dhaal Atoll Kadedhdhoo island experienced 219.8mm. Several houses in the islands were flooded which had caused water damage to electronics and furniture. Addu city council said over 200 houses had reported flooding and efforts are now underway to assess the damage. Speaking during the parliament sitting on Thursday, South-Hithadhoo MP Ali Nizar accused the government of failing to address the situation after describing the situation in Addu as the worst since the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. "So far I have not heard any concern over this from the president. He was at a ceremony last night and spoke at length. But his failure to even mention the hundreds suffering in Addu really concerned me," he said. Nizar said the residents of the worst affected islands, Feydhoo and Maradhoo-Feydhoo, are in dire need of assistance. Meedho MP Rozaina Adam said many families are without shelter and are facing increasing risks of disease. "Overflowing septic tanks have rendered drinking wells useless. Human waste have flowed to the streets. I want to highlight that this needs to be immediately addressed," she said. However, pro-government lawmakers were quick to spring to president Yameen's defence. Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) parliamentary group leader Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik said the president had constituted a special task force to manage relief efforts. The task force is providing minute-by-minute updates to the president on the efforts, the Villmale MP said. "This government is doing everything possible to help the victims. President Yameen's ministers are involved. Defence minister is involved. President Yameen is being reported on the efforts. That I can guarantee to the people," Nihan said. Disaster Management Centre (DMC) had said authorities are working together with the public to drain the flood water using pumps and trenches.