6 houses damaged in 'tsunami-like' sea swells in Dhigurah
The worst-hit area was the island's harbour
By
Shahudha Mohamed
Swell waves that hit ADh. Dhigurah on Wednesday evening and night caused damage to six houses, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) announced Saturday.
Dhigurah is not an island that experiences swelling waves normally. No reports of swell-flooding have been made to the NDMA from the island for the past 10 years.
A video that has gone viral on social media shows waves landing on the streets of Dhigurah; one after the other.
The residents of the island described it as a "tsunami".
An NDMA official told Atoll Times on Saturday that:
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Six houses were damaged, but no one had to be evacuated
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Household items were damaged
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The worst-hit area was the island's harbour
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Damage data is still being collected
The Maldives is noted among the first countries to experience climate change impacts. Scientists and experts say climate change will increase the number of swell waves, persistent rainfall, flooding and erosion.
In July, swell waves wrought damage to over 20 islands in the Maldives. Some houses were flooded and families had to be relocated to other houses.
