Northern and central atolls are expected to experience heavy rain showers this weekend, says the Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS).

The department revealed that heavy showers are expected across some islands in the north over the next two days and some atolls of central atolls will also experience heavy rain showers during the weekend.

Scattered rainfall was expected across some islands of southern atolls on Friday, with scattered showers expected to prevail across most regions of southern atolls on Saturday.

The department revealed that islands in northern and central atolls experienced scattered rain showers with a few thunderstorms with fine weather experienced in southern atolls earlier on Friday.

Winds were southeast to southerly at 5 – 13 miles per hour.

Seas were slight with a wave height of 2 – 4 feet.

Due to the heavy rainfall, some islands have been experiencing flooding as well. As such, from 8am Thursday to 8am Friday, the rainfall accumulated in Funadhoo island of Shaviyani atoll was at 50.4 millimeters.

Komandoo island of Shaviyani atoll accumulated a total of 28.9 millimeters of rain during the period with Gaafaru island of Kaafu atoll having recorded 21.3 millimeters of rain and Hulhulé in Kaafu atoll having accumulated 24.5 millimeters of rain.

In addition to this, some other islands including Hanimaadhoo island of Haa Dhaal atoll accumulated 20.9 millimeters of rain, Hoarafushi island of Haa Alif atoll accumulated 20.5 millimeters of rain, with Kaashidhoo island in Kaafu atoll accumulating 6.6 millimeters of rain.

Dhiffushi island in Kaafu atoll accumulated 3.2 millimeters of rain, 1.5 millimeters In Thinadhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll, 1.4 millimeters in Hithadhoo district of Addu City, 0.2 millimeters in Bilehdhoo island of Faafu atoll, one millimeter in Dharavandhoo island of Baa atoll and 0.4 millimeters in Alifushi island of Raa atoll.

A white alert was issued by the department on Thursday, due to heavy rain and thunderstorms across the regions spanning Haa Alif atoll to Alif Dhaal atoll.

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.

Such adverse weather conditions have caused trees to uproot, roofs to be torn off, and heavy debris falling onto houses, causing immense damage. The squally weather during monsoon also causes extensive 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.