The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has predicted heavy rainfall and strong winds to prevail across the entire country for the weekend.

The department revealed that strong winds and heavy rainfall are expected to prevail across northern and central atolls over the next two days.

Further, southern atolls are expected to experience rain showers during the weekend as well.

The department has also stressed that due to the adverse effects of the southwest monsoon over the Maldives, strong winds will prevail over the next two days, especially in the north and central parts of the country from Thursday night.

Rough seas are also expected throughout the entire country for the next few days.

Maldives Meteorological Service stated that winds will be southwest to westerly at 13 – 23 miles per hour in central and northern atolls and at 8 – 18 miles per hour in southern atolls. Winds are expected to gust 40 miles per hour during showers. The seas are expected to be rough becoming moderate with a wave height of 4 – 7 feet.

This year’s southwest monsoon commenced at the beginning of May.

Of the two seasons experienced across the archipelago nation, the northeast monsoon is experienced between January and March, with southwest monsoon falling between May and November. Maldives experiences heavy rain showers and adverse weather conditions during the southwest monsoon as well as the northeast monsoon. Extensive periods of strong winds and adverse weather conditions are usually experienced mostly during the southwest monsoon.

As the weather remains unpredictable, authorities have advised the public to be cautious considering the adverse conditions of the southwest monsoon experienced in some regions.

Adverse weather conditions experienced across some regions have been causing trees to uproot, roofs to tear off homes and trees as well as debris falling onto houses over the years. The squally weather during monsoon also causes damage to crop in some islands and presents challenges for seafarers and fishermen as well. Some islands have been experiencing swell waves surges during high tides as well. Regions across the entire island nation also experience ankle-deep flooding due to heavy rainfall.