A speedboat traveling from capital Malé City to Velidhoo island of Noonu atoll, has gone down in rough weather.

‘Legion 7’ was en route Velidhoo with 30 passengers onboard, when it was seriously flooded in bad weather near Randheli Resort in Noonu atoll.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) revealed that their northern area coastguard had provided assistance in connection with the incident.

MNDF revealed that the speedboat was flooded and began sinking near Randheli Resort, following which it was steered into the inner harbor of the resort.

The vessel is to have gone down after the passengers on board, were safely taken off the vessel and to the resort.

MNDF coastguard divers, divers from Randheli Resort and crew from ‘Reefline’ vessel at the resort, worked to refloat the sunken speedboat.

A speedboat bound for Velidhoo from the capital has capsized, at a time authorities have warned the public about the adverse weather conditions in the Maldives, which are expected to remain rough over the course of the next 24 hours.

The authorities have advised the people to be cautious of the squally weather, which remains unpredictable, as many people are travelling during this Eid-Al-Adha holidays.

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.

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.