Heavy showers and strong winds on Sunday night has damaged the Maldivian flag hoisted on the capital city’s official post at the Republic Square. 

Captain Ibrahim Azim, spokesperson to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), said that gusts of wind had torn the flag, forcing authorities to remove it.

Captain Azim told RaajjeMV that the flag would be hoisted again once the flag has been repaired. 

The Meteorological Services has issued a yellow alert for the country and asked that residents in the central and southern atolls specifically limit sea travel or refrain from it entirely. 

A yellow alert usually entails that a severe thunderstorm is underway or that tropical cyclone has formed in areas of the Maldives. It asks the people to be on high alert and ready to respond to situations caused by turbulent weather. 

The ferry service to Villimalé, the capital city’s suburban extension, temporarily due to choppy sea conditions. However, the service commenced shortly after.