MMS extends white alert issued for heavy rain and thunderstorms over entire country

Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has extended the white alert issued over the entire country, due to adverse weather conditions.

The white alert was initially issued from 11:30am to 05:30pm on Saturday, after predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms, strong winds of 19 – 24 miles per hour with gusts of 45 miles per hour and rough seas across the entire country.

A new advisory issued on Saturday evening, states that the white alert has been extended from 05:30pm to 11:30pm, Saturday.

MMS also revealed that seas will be rough across the Maldives, with a wave height of four to seven feet.

The department has also urged all, especially seafarers to remain alert in event of the worsening weather conditions.

Winds will be southwest to westerly at 13 to 23 miles per hour in the south and west to northwesterly at 15 - 25 miles per hour elsewhere. Winds may gust to 45 miles per hour during showers.

The department predicts fairly widespread rain with a few heavy showers and thunderstorms to prevail over the country in the next few days.

With Maldives currently in southwest monsoon, the weather remains occasionally rainy, with a few thunderstorms. Some islands have been experiencing swell waves surges during high tides as well as flooding due to heavy rainfall.