Yellow alert issued for torrential rain and rough seas from Haa Alif to Thaa atoll

Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has issued a yellow alert due to adverse weather conditions.

The yellow alert was issued close to 5pm on Sunday, from Haa Alif atoll to Thaa atoll.

MMS issued the alert after predicting heavy rain showers, strong winds of 25 – 30 miles per hour and gusts of 50 miles per hour with very rough seas across the region.

The yellow alert will be effective through 9pm, Sunday.

This comes at a time a white alert is effective across the entire Maldives, after heavy rain showers and thunderstorms alongside strong winds of 19 – 24 miles per hour with gusts of 45 miles per hour and rough seas were predicted to prevail on Sunday.

The white alert is effective through 8pm.

The alert is an extension of an alert issued earlier on Sunday, initially predicted from 08:15am to 2pm.

MMS also revealed that swell wave surges are expected during high tide times, due to adverse southwest monsoon conditions prevailing over the entire Maldives currently.

The department has been issuing a number of white and yellow alerts across the Maldives this monsoon season in light of the worsening weather conditions.

The department has also urged seafarers to remain alert in the event of worsening weather condition.

At a time the department has urged caution over the squally weather conditions, the National Disaster Management Authority has also urged caution for seafarers and instructed individuals to pay special attention to safety precautions when travelling at sea. Seafarers have been urged to ensure their safety gear and communication equipment work properly, before beginning their journeys.

MMS predicts heavy rainfall across the Maldives through June, July, August and September this year. Rain showers heavier than usual storms are also expected to prevail across different regions throughout the ongoing month.

The department revealed that over the past 24 hours, Kaadedhdhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll experienced 124.8 millimeters of rainfall.

The highest rainfall this year was experienced in Alifushi island in Raa atoll during July. As such, the island experienced 158.7-millimeter rain showers.

With Maldives currently in southwest monsoon, the weather remains rainy, with a few thunderstorms.

Some islands have been experiencing swell waves surges during high tides as well.