Building Resilience in the Face of Climate Change: Empowering Communities in the Maldives
The Maldives, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is deeply intertwined with the surrounding ocean, influencing both its way of life and its obstacles. While the country flourishes by enticing visitors to its stunning azure waters, the nation grapples with a myriad of climate-related adversities, exacerbated by its low-lying terrain and susceptibility to rising sea levels. With over 80% of its Islands resting barely a meter above sea level, the Maldives stands prominently on the frontline of climate-driven crises, contending with flooding, storm surges, and various other natural hazards. The alterations in weather patterns have notably intensified precipitation, thereby heightening the risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying areas presenting an ongoing peril to the inhabitants.
Considering the current situation and well as the climate projections, in countries like Maldives, disaster risk resilience is essential to the communities to helps people prepare for disasters both in adaptation and mitigation attempts.
In Male, many areas of the island were under 1 foot of flood water. Rainfall on December 31st was marked as the highest rainfall ever recorded in Hulhulé’s recent history. The aftermath was grim, with 140 homes damaged by water infiltration, ground saturation, and leakage, leaving families devastated and communities reeling. Many parts of the airport were flooded which disrupted the flight schedules.
This is not an isolated incident. The irregularities of weather and climate poses significant challenges for the remote northern and southern islands of the Maldives, extending beyond Male’. In October 2023, heavy rainfall caused floods in the northern islands of Haa Alif and Haa Dhaal Atoll, prompting precautionary warnings from the Maldives National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In 2022, the Maldives faced a total of 128 incidents across 19 atolls, with surges being the most common hazard, followed by floods and strong winds. Surges were particularly prevalent in July, while floods peaked in May. Among all incidents, surges had the most significant impact on households, with Thaa atoll reporting the highest number of cases. In 2021, Haa Alif Hoarafushi Airport also bore the brunt of the heavy rain, experiencing huge damages to its infrastructure.
According to the testimonial of an inhabitant from Hulhumale, the weather patterns in the Maldives have undergone significant alterations. Previously, June and July were characterized by the onset of the rainy and windy season, accompanied by rough seas. However, in recent times, even during the month of December or January, adverse weather conditions have been observed, marked by heavy rainfall across the country, leading to widespread flooding. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in the frequency and intensity of tidal surges.
For more details https://www.jointsdgfund.org/article/building-resilience-face-climate-change-empowering-communities-maldives
