Heavy rainfall over the weekend caused severe flooding in Malé with the worst coming on Saturday night after the Met office issued orange alerts for torrential downpours and thunderstorms across central regions. Amid non-stop rain for several hours, the NDMA relocated 40 people from four households with sewage leaks and the police advised against driving four-wheeled vehicles. As emergency teams pumped out floodwaters in the capital, soldiers responded to flooding in Kaafu Himmafushi, Guraidhoo, Thulusdhoo, Huraa and Dhiffushi.
Food advertisements on social media will be exempt from new rules that require prior approval from the Food and Drug Authority with an MVR 1,500 (US$100) application fee, the health ministry announced after an outcry from home cooks and small businesses. The regulations introduced a penalty of MVR 10,000 for unauthorised food advertisements.
The Maldives Health Professionals Union called on the government to provide overtime pay to healthcare workers as mandated by the Employment Act, challenging a new pay framework that restricts overtime to 10 percent of basic salary, despite healthcare workers needing to work additional hours due to staff shortages and high demand.
Former MP Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra), chairman of the constitutional assembly's drafting committee, petitioned the High Court to "allow the Supreme Court to operate" after the suspension of three justices.
The animal welfare ministry began moving stray cats to the new pet care facility in Hulhumalé.
The Russian ambassador criticised former president Nasheed for applauding the Maldives' pro-Ukraine vote at the UN, questioning why an "experienced politician" would embrace "European aggressive and militaristic rhetoric" despite Russia's significance as a top source market for tourists, drawing an apology from Nasheed, who clarified his position as favouring peace rather than opposition to Russia.
The Maldives filed an intervention in a case before the International Court of Justice concerning the occupied Palestinian territories.
Bangladesh authorities detained a passenger bound for Malé from Dhaka after discovering 8,400 yaba pills concealed in his luggage.