Scattered showers expected in some parts this weekend
The country has been experiencing scattered rain showers and thunderstorms
A rainy day in the capital city
Scattered rain showers are predicted to prevail across some parts of the Maldives, this weekend.
The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) revealed the weather will clear up for some islands in northern and central areas on Friday.
However, scattered showers are expected to prevail across islands in southern atolls on Friday.
Scattered rain showers will continue to prevail across the entire country on Saturday as well.
Due to the squally weather, the department has been issuing several white alerts over the past couple of days.
The most recent one was a white alert issued from Laamu atoll to southernmost Addu City, in the wake of heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 40 miles per hour.
In the early hours of Thursday, a white alert was issued from Kaafu atoll to Gaaf Dhaal atoll for heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 45 miles per hour.
A yellow alert followed shortly after, for torrential rain showers, strong winds of 19 – 24 miles per hour and gusts of 50 miles per hour with very rough seas expected through Kaafu to Alif Alif atoll.
The country has been experiencing scattered rain showers and thunderstorms on Thursday, with winds gusting west to northwesterly at 8 – 18 miles per hour and up to 40 miles per hour during showers.
Seas are moderate becoming rough during showers with a wave height of 2 – 6 feet.
Between 8am Wednesday to 8am Thursday some islands experienced flooding due to heavy rainfall.
Statistics by the department revealed that Hulhulé experienced the heaviest rainfall, at 118.3 millimeters.
Capital Malé City experienced 85 millimeters of rainfall with its suburban extension Hulhumalé experiencing 85.8 millimeters of rainfall.
Further, Thoddoo island in Alif Alif atoll experienced 101.8 millimeters of rainfall.
37.3 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Dhiffushi island of Kaafu atoll, 32.8 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Rakeedhoo island of Vaavu atoll and Goidhoo island in Kaafu atoll recorded 27.1 millimeters of rainfall during this period.
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.
