The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has urged the public to practice caution when traveling at sea in the next few hours, as strong winds are predicted to prevail across some parts of the country.

The department revealed that heavy rain showers are expected to prevail across some islands in central atolls, until 6pm Saturday.

In addition to this, heavy rain showers are expected across southern atolls and northern atolls are expected to experience scattered showers for the next few hours.

Winds were from northeast to easterly at 8 – 18 miles per hour in central and northern atolls and north to northeasterly at 5 – 15 miles per hour in the south. Gusts of wind up to 35 miles per hour were recorded during showers.

Seas were moderate to rough in central and norther atolls and slight to moderate in southern atolls with a wave height of 3 – 6 feet in northern and central atolls and 2 – 4 feet in southern atolls throughout Saturday.

MMS has been issuing a number of alerts both white and yellow throughout the country as the island nation continues to experience strong monsoon activities, wreaking havoc in their wake, across the country.

As such, a white alert was issued from Haa Alif atoll to Vaavu atoll in the early hours of Saturday, after predicting strong winds of 19 – 24 miles per hour and gusts of 40 miles per hour and rough seas.

Another white alert was issued from Haa Alif atoll to Lhaviyani atoll in the early hours of Saturday after predicting swell wave surges across the regions.

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

The congested capital Malé City experienced the heaviest rainfall over the past 24 hours.

The department revealed that between 8am Friday and 8am Saturday, a total of 159.3 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in the capital city. The capital city experienced torrential rain on Friday, which caused knee-deep flooding in streets and incurred damages to households.

MMS revealed that 143.3 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Hulhulé and 105.4 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Hulhumalé.

In addition to this, other islands including Kaashidhoo island of Kaafu atoll recorded 68.3 millimeters of rainfall, Maamigili island of Alif Dhaalu atoll recorded 62.5 millimeters of rainfall, Thoddoo island of Alif Alif atoll recorded 54.6 millimeters of rainfall, Thinadhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll recorded 53.3 millimeters of rainfall and Dharavandhoo island of Baa atoll recorded 38 millimeters of rainfall.

Further, 27.1 millimeters of rainfall was experienced in Goidhoo island of Baa atoll, 33.6 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Dhiffushi island of Kaafu atoll, two millimeters of rainfall in Alifushi island of Raa atoll, 30 millimeters of rainfall in Kaadedhdhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll, 26 millimeters of rainfall in Gan island of Seenu atoll, 10.8 millimeters of rainfall in Hithadhoo district of southernmost Addu City and 9.6 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Muli island of Meemu atoll.

Although tides were recorded as high as 3.3 feet in the early hours of Saturday, they dropped as low as 1.3 feet in the morning and rose to 2.2 feet by afternoon in the northern atolls.

It will drop as low as -0.4 feet by sundown and rise up to 3.3 feet in the early hours of Sunday, before dropping to one foot by morning and rising further to 2.2 feet by afternoon and dropping lower to -0.1 by nightfall.

Central atolls experienced tides rising as high as 2.9 feet in the early hours of Saturday, dropping to 0.5 feet by morning and ascended to two feet by afternoon, and is expected to drop to -0.5 feet after nightfall. Tides will rise to 2.8 feet in the early hours of Sunday and drop to 0.4 feet by Sunday morning, before rising to two feet by Sunday afternoon.

The department revealed that southern atolls will experience tides dropping from 3.1 feet to -0.7 feet by the end of Saturday and ascending to 3.1 feet by Sunday morning before dropping to 2.6 feet in the evening.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) revealed that four island other than the capital city experienced floods due to the adverse weather conditions, including Guraidhoo island in Thaa atoll, Dhiyamigili island in Thaa atoll, Maamendhoo island in Laamu atoll and Kudahuvadhoo island in Dhaalu atoll.

Requests for assistance were received by the authority from 144 houses, affected by flood water in the capital city on Friday.

NDMA revealed that 57 individuals from eight houses were moved to temporary shelters.

Sandbags were stacked at the entrance of 91 homes as well.

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.