Adverse weather to prevail over some parts this weekend
Due to the adverse weather conditions, the department has been issuing a number of white alerts over the past 24 hours
Streets of the capital city, flooded due to heavy rain showers
Weather conditions across most parts of the country are expected to be squally this weekend.
The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) revealed that islands in northern atolls have been experiencing scattered rain on Friday, with heavy showers and thunderstorms prevailing across islands in central and southern atolls.
Some islands in northern atolls will experience thunderstorms on Saturday, and some islands in central atolls will experience scattered rain.
Heavy rain showers and thunderstorms are expected across islands in the south, on Saturday.
The department went on to reveal that winds will be northwest to northerly at 3 – 13 miles per hour.
MMS revealed that seas will be slight with a wave height of 1 – 3 feet.
Due to the adverse weather conditions, the department has been issuing a number of white alerts over the past 24 hours. The most recent one was issued on Friday afternoon, for heavy rain and thunderstorms across Fuvahmulah and Addu City.
A white alert was issued on Friday morning across Kaafu atoll and Gaaf Dhaal atoll for heavy rain showers and thunderstorms.
Between 8am Thursday to 8am Friday, heavy rainfall was experienced by residents Dharavandhoo island of Baa atoll, with 62.5 millimeters of rainfall recorded.
Further, Himandhoo island of Alif Alif atoll experience 50.3 millimeters of rainfall, with Kahdhoo island of Laamu atoll experiencing 41.7 millimeters, Gemanafushi island of Gaaf Alif atoll experiencing 32.4 millimeters and Fuvahmulah City experiencing 34.5 millimeters of rainfall.
Nilandhoo island of Faafu atoll accumulated 26.6 millimeters of rainfall and Kaashidhoo island of Kaafu atoll experienced 24.2 millimeters of rainfall.
Hulhulé island in the capital region experienced 24.1 millimeters of rainfall, Muli island of Meemu atoll experienced 22.9 millimeters of rainfall, Kaadedhdhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll experienced 22.3 millimeters of rainfall, Komandoo island of Shaviyani atoll experienced 16.1 millimeters of rainfall, Maamigili island of Alif Dhaal atoll experienced 17.5 millimeters of rainfall, Gan island of Seenu atoll experienced 13.2 millimeters of rainfall, Thinadhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll experienced 10 millimeters of rainfall, and Maafaru island of Noonu atoll experienced 5.6 millimeters of rainfall.
Although tides were recorded at 1.4 feet in the early hours of Friday, they dropped as low as 0.7 in the afternoon and will rise to 2.6 feet by midnight in northern atolls.
It will drop as low as one in the early hours of Saturday and rise to two feet in the morning, before dropping to 0.7 by evening and rising to 2.7 feet by nightfall.
Central atolls experienced tides rising to one feet in the early hours of Friday, dropping to 0.5 by evening and will rise to 2.3 by midnight. Tides will drop to 0.6 feet in the early hours of Saturday and rise to 2.1 by Saturday morning, before dropping to 0.4 by Saturday evening.
The department revealed that southern atolls will experience tide surges ranging from 0.7 to 2.8 by the end of Friday and ascending to 2.7 feet by Saturday afternoon.
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 wave surges during high tides as well.
