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Impact of Extreme Climate Events on Maldives
First Session of
South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF – 1)
Pune, India, 13 -1 5 April 2010
Abdul Muhsin Ramiz
Maldives Meteorological Service
General Introduction
Maldives geographical location :
between 72o32'30"E 73o45'54"E
and
7o06'30"N to 0o41'48"S
Total Area about 90,000 square km
of which about 99% is water.
Total No. of Islands
Inhabited Islands
Population
: 1190
: 200
: 300,000
The climate of Maldives is warm year round
Determined by the monsoons ( Southwest and Northeast monsoon )
The temperature varies little with an annual average daily maximum of
30.4 0C and minimum at 25.9 0C.
2
Mean Yearly Temperature
Male' , Maldives.
29.0
Temperature in Degree Celcious
28.8
28.6
28.4
y = 0.0258x + 27.832
28.2
28.0
27.8
27.6
27.4
27.2
27.0
Male'
Linear (Male')
Monthly Mean Rainfall
300
VRMG
VRMM
250
VRMH
rainfall "mm"
200
150
100
50
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual Rainfall
Central & Southern Maldives
3200.0
3000.0
2800.0
Rainfall MM
2600.0
2400.0
2200.0
2000.0
1800.0
1600.0
1400.0
VRMG
VRMM
Vulnerability to extreme climate events
Average elevation of the islands are about 1
meters above mean sea level.
Size of the islands (average size is 50 – 250 ha,
largest being ``about 500ha)
Flat topography
93% of the inhabited islands face perennial beach erosion
Wide dispersal of population across tiny islands
Extremely high economic dependence on tourism
Impact of climate change on vulnerable islands of the Maldives.
Over the last 6 years more than 90 islands (45% of all islands) have been
flooded at least once and 37 islands have been inundated regularly or at least
once a year (Shaig, 2006).
During the severe weather event of May 2004 alone, at least 71 islands
(36% of all inhabited islands) were flooded.
Ocean induced severe weather events are usually the result of localised
storms in the Maldives region (RMSI, 2005), but the flooding events of 1987
proved that swells generated from distant storms also has the potential to
cause flooding in Maldives (Goda, 1988; Harangozo, 1992).
Storm hit Maldives in 1991 causing widespread damages to many islands
mostly in the southern Maldives.
Impact of climate change on vulnerable islands of the Maldives. Cont.
On 10th April 1987 one third of Male’ was affected by severe flooding.
Year / month
Affected area
1991 (30 May – 12 June)
Southern-most atoll & other
islands
1996
Central atolls including Male’
2002
Central atoll (Dhaal
Kanduhulhudoo)
1993 September
Male’
2005 July
Southern atolls (GDh.Vaadhoo)
2005 October
Male’ & southern-most atolls
2006 September
Central atolls including Male’
Heavy rain & flooding
Heavy rain & flooding
MALDIVES
Year / months
Affected area
1987 April
Male’ & Hulhule
1987 (June &
September)
Many Islands
1991
Hulhule
2003
Many islands including Hulhule
2005
Many islands icluding Male’
2007
Most of the islands
2008 August
Many islands including Male’ & Hulhule
Swell / Tidal waves
Island / station
Heaviest
rainfall within
24 hours (mm)
Maximum
Temperate (°C)
Minimum
Temperature (°C)
Hanimaadhoo
146.9
(26/5/2008)
34.4
(27/4/1998)
18.2
(23/12/2002)
89.7
28/8/1991
Male’
175.9
23/12/1977
34.0
19/4/2005
17.2
10/4/1978
71.3
3/11/1978
178.2
7/10/1990
36.8
19/5/1991
20.8
20/8/1995,
18/2/2007
69.0
30/8/1992
219.8
9/7/2002
34
6/5/1998
19.6
24/12/1998
63.3
12/7/1998,
18/7/2003
188.3
27/6/1997
33.6
17/4/1998
19.3
24/1/1982
103.5
29/5/1991
Kadhdhoo
Kaadedhdhoo
Maximum
Wind
(mph)
Gan
Sustainable measures taken up by the Maldives
for mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Efficient drainage and conveyance systems in some selected islands
Sea walls to prevent tidal waves
Resilient island development program
Country's plans to be the first in the world to go
carbon neutral. Hoping to meet
all its energy requirements through renewable sources, such as solar and wind
power, within a decade
Socio-economic impacts



Beach erosion and coral reef bleaching has direct impact on
tourism, which income generator for the Maldives. Considerable
costs are being incurred on resort islands due to continued
coastal erosion. Beach replenishment may be a temporary
remedy for the beach loss, but would still be a major financial
burden in the face of increase in erosion intensity.
Reduction in ground water quality due to potential saltwater
intrusion may destroy the small agricultural industry and increase
food insecurity.
Drinking water shortage in the islands due to increasing dry
spells in NE monsoon



Coastal infrastructure, which is the most essential
requirement for an island’s social and
economic development, are at risk due to increasing
sea level rise and extreme climate events
Increase in sea level Constraints
and intensity of extreme
climate events are expected to expose more
population and property to severe weather events
especially with the increased congestion and
encroachment of beach areas in settlements.
Challenges



Capacity building in the field of NWP
Enhancing Climate monitoring network
Reduction of risk associate with the extreme
climate events
MALDIVES
Thank You
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