OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Maldives: Coastal Flooding
25 May 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This situation report is based on information received from the 
Maldives' National Disaster Management Center, the Office of the UN 
Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, as well as from the OCHA Regional 
Office for Asia and Pacific in Bangkok. SITUATION

1. On 15-17 May 2007, a series of swells, between 10 ? 15 feet, hit an 
estimated 35 islands in 13 Atolls across the Maldives, causing the 
inundation of up to 600 metres from the coastline. The southern atolls 
of the Maldives were the most affected, in particular Seenu and Gaafu 
Dhaalu. These high tides occur annually, but not to this magnitude.

2. There were no human fatalities from the coastal flooding. 1649 people 
were evacuated from their homes.

3. On 19 May 2007, a Rapid Assessment Team, comprised of Government of 
Maldives personnel, IFRC and UN counterparts, was deployed to conduct a 
rapid assessment of five high tide affected islands of Gaafu Dhaalu 
Atoll: Fares-Maathodaa, Fiyoare, Rathafandhoo, Nadellaa, and Madaveli. 
The assessment found:

a. Water-sanitation:  There is an urgent need for clean drinking water 
and household water (community tanks need refilling ? due to dry season 
prior to the high tide). Ground tests indicated contamination.

Action recommended by the assessment mission: Urgent need for drinking 
water. A detailed assessment is urgently required on fresh water wells.

b. Housing: 217 housing units were damaged and 258 were otherwise flood 
affected.

Recommended action: Further assessments are needed on the long-term 
impact of flooding on the coral based houses, where there are 
indications that weakened foundations will require 
repair/reconstruction.

Recommended action: Provision of mattresses and bedding

c. Livelihood: Need for recovery intervention in local gardens, small 
plantations, hay harvesting and other livelihoods such as fish 
processing. There will also be a long-term impact from saltwater 
permeation damaging crops and trees.

Recommended action: Further detailed assessments on livelihood impacts 
needed.

d. Education: Some schools were flood damaged with irreparably damaged 
furniture.

Recommended action: School-based psychosocial support activities are 
required

e. Infrastructure: Minor damage to harbours and quay walls on the 
west-side of the islands. Basic services, including electricity, water 
and sewerage systems were affected by the inundation of seawater.

f. Health: No damage to health facilities or health services.

g. Environment: Substantial coastal erosion and saltwater inland 
flooding. Ground water assessments show signs of contaminated fresh 
water on all five affected main islands.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

4. NTR

III. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

5. NTR

Map: Maldives: Floods - Location Map

For detailed information please contact:

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok) Mr. Rajan 
Gengaje, Regional Disaster Response Adviser Tel. + 66-2288-2572, Fax: 
+66-2288-1043, Mob. + 66-8-1916-1271 e-mail: gengaje@un.org

Desk Officers:
  NYC - Mr. Wojtek Wilk, Tel. +1-917 367 9748, e-mail: wilkw@un.org
  GVA - Mr. Guadelupe deSousa, Tel. +41-22-917 4339

Press contact:
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel. +1-917 367 5126
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel. +41-22-917 2653

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