Maldivians relocated in Trivandrum after flooding

The Maldives consulate in India has relocated 16 Maldivians in Trivandrum after heavy rains flooded their homes on Wednesday, local media reported.

According to the Times of India, the death toll from the floods in Kerala state rose to 79 by Thursday afternoon with Cochin International airport shutting down operations until August 26.

The deputy consul Jaadhulla Hussain Thaufeeq told Mihaaru that families affected by the flooding lived in homes near Cosmopolitan Hospital.

Nobody was injured but 36 Maldivians were affected, he said. Nine people had flown back to the Maldives and 16 were temporarily moved to hotels.

He also said that 14 Maldivians were currently staying in second storey apartments in three buildings in the flooded area.

“We urge Maldivians to stop renting homes that are located too close to rivers when they are staying in Trivandrum for basic needs,” Thaufeeq was quoted as saying.

Maldivians who travel to India for medical purposes usually stay in houses that are close to rivers and floods are frequent because of the poor drainage system, he said.

India’s The News Minute reported that one floor of the Cosmopolitan Hospital was flooded and it was the first time the hospital had been so severely affected due to rain.

Photo: The News Minute