Heavy rain expected across the country this weekend

Heavy rainfall is expected to prevail across most parts of the country this weekend, says the Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS).

The department revealed that scattered rain with isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms prevailed over the country on Friday and that the weather forecast for Saturday appears adverse as well.

On Friday, winds were east to southeasterly at 8 – 18 miles per hour in southern atolls and northeast to easterly at 13 – 23 miles per hour elsewhere. Winds were recorded at 40 miles per hour during showers and seas were rough in central and northern atolls on Friday.

Seas were moderate becoming rough during showers in southern atolls with a wave height of 4 – 7 feet in central and northern atolls and 3 – 5 feet in southern atolls.

Some islands are expected to experience heavy rainfall in northern, central and southern atolls on Saturday as well.

MMS on Wednesday issued an orange alert after predicting torrential rain and thunderstorms with the possibility of flooding in southernmost Fuvahmulah and Addu cities. This was the fourth orange alert issued by MMS. The first and second were issued back in 2020 and the third was issued three years ago.

The alert came among a number of alerts both white and yellow, being issued throughout the country as the island nation continues to experience strong monsoon activities, wreaking havoc in their wake, across the country.

As such, a yellow alert was issued from Shaviyani atoll to Dhaalu atoll in the early hours of Friday, after strong winds of 25 – 30 miles per hour and gusts of 40 miles per hour with very rough seas were predicted.

A white alert was issued from Noonu atoll to Laamu atoll on Friday morning after heavy rain and thunderstorms with strong winds of 22 – 27 miles per hour with gusts of 45 miles per hour and rough seas were forecasted, followed by another yellow alert from Lhaviyani atoll to southernmost Addu City in the afternoon due to torrential rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 45 miles per hour.

At around 2pm, another white alert was issued from Haa Alif atoll to Vaavu atoll for strong winds of 22 – 27 miles per hour with gusts of 45 miles per hour and rough seas.

This was followed by a yellow alert from Kaafu atoll to Addu City for torrential rain and thunderstorms with gust winds of 45 miles per hour and rough seas, in the evening.

Further, a white alert is currently effective across the regions from Haa Alif atoll to Vaavu atoll, for strong winds of 22 – 27 miles per hour and gusts of 45 miles per hour and rough seas.

Due to the heavy rainfall, some islands have been experiencing flooding as well.

The department revealed that Muli island in Meemu atoll experienced 19.1 millimeters of rainfall from 8am Thursday to 8am Friday.

Alifushi island of Raa atoll accumulated a total of 16.8 millimeters of rain during the period with Thoddoo island of Alif Alif atoll having recorded 14.8 millimeters of rain and Hithadhoo island in Seenu atoll having accumulated 13.7 millimeters of rain.

In addition to this, some other islands including Kaashidhoo island in Kaafu atoll accumulated 9.5 millimeters of rain and Funadhoo island in Shaviyani atoll accumulated 6.4 millimeters of rain.

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.