COLOMBO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu ordered the closure of government offices and institutions on Sunday in response to severe flooding caused by the highest daily accumulated rainfall in the country's history, PSM News, the official state media of the Maldives, reported.

The Maldives Meteorological Service in a post on X said it recorded 296 millimeters of rainfall in the 24 hours ended at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.

The president's decision follows continuous rainfall, which has resulted in significant hardship to the people, PSM News said.

PSM News said heavy rains on Saturday led to extensive flooding in Male City, including Male, Hulhumale, and Hulhule, which is home to Velana International Airport, and several outer islands.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and other agencies have been mobilized to mitigate the impact of floodwaters on households and properties in the capital, it said.

A total of 17 pumps were deployed by the MNDF across six locations to remove floodwater, with an estimated 17,000 tonnes of water already pumped out, PSM News said. The MNDF has also provided assistance to 131 properties and supplied 976 sandbags to help control and mitigate the flooding, PSM News said.

The Maldives Meteorological Service said it expects more torrential rain and thunderstorms with gusty winds on Sunday. Enditem

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