Maafannu cemetery storm water pump restored

The storm water pump at Maafannu Cemetery has been temporarily restored to service after being removed during recent excavation work.

Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure confirmed the development on Saturday evening, noting that the pump, which is critical to draining floodwaters from the northwestern areas of Malé, is now operational again.

This comes after a series of challenges surrounding the cemetery’s redevelopment, which had drawn public concern. The Male’ City Council had sought to repurpose the cemetery land for a new parking zone, commissioning the work through Landscaping Solutions. During this process, parts of the storm water pump were dismantled, leaving the system vulnerable and exposed.

Maafannu is one of the most flood-prone areas in the capital, and its vulnerability was underscored last weekend when heavy rains resulted in significant flooding. The ministry pointed out that the removal of the pump's components was directly linked to the damage that exacerbated the flooding.

In a statement Saturday evening, the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure criticised the Male’ City Council’s actions, saying that the pump station, along with its associated pipes, had been damaged beyond repair due to the ongoing excavation work in the cemetery. The ministry also highlighted the importance of maintaining these stormwater systems, especially given the city's susceptibility to seasonal flooding.

“Every time there is flooding during the rains, the pumps installed throughout the city are checked to ensure they are functioning properly,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, due to the work done by the city council in the cemetery, the pump station was severely damaged.”

To mitigate the situation, the ministry worked with the Road Development Corporation (RDC) and the State Electric Company (STELCO) to temporarily reactivate the pump. This effort was made in an attempt to restore some flood prevention capacity to the area in the short term, while longer-term solutions are being explored.

The Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure, which oversees the storm water pump systems, stressed the need for coordination between local authorities to prevent further damage to critical infrastructure. They also reiterated the necessity of maintaining key flood management systems as part of the city’s broader strategy to cope with heavy rainfall and rising water levels.