Bad weather that brought strong winds and heavy rain have left agricultural fields in Ga. Nilandhoo and six islands in Laamu Atoll seriously damaged.
Nilandhoo Council Member Asif Mohamed said today that 280 fields have been completely destroyed in the island.
“The trees near the fields have also fallen due to strong winds,” he said.
He said that while it continued to rain heavily in Nilandhoo, the island had not suffered any damage other than the destruction of the crops.
Laamu Atoll Council President Mohamed Rasheed said today that the agricultural fields of Isdhoo Kalhaidhoo, Gan, Gaadhoo, Fonadhoo, Kunahandhoo and Dhan’bidhoo have suffered serious damage.
He informed that 150 to 500kg of chilli are harvested weekly in those islands, which give monthly incomes of MVR15,000 per farmer. He said that the devastation is likely to result in losses of MVR25,000 for each farmer.
Rasheed said that several houses have been flooded, damaging furniture and other household items. Moreover, the roof of a house in Dhanbidhoo flew off yesterday due to strong winds.
He noted the assistance of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Police and island citizens in removing water from flooded areas.