Torrential rain showers and strong winds are expected to tear through the entire nation this weekend.
The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) revealed that strong winds and torrential rain showers are expected to prevail across northern and central atolls on Friday and Saturday.
Some islands of southern atolls will experience strong winds and heavy rain showers on Friday. Heavy showers will continue to prevail across the south on Saturday as well.
Due to the squally weather, the department has been issuing several alerts, white yellow and orange over the past couple of days.
The most recent one was a yellow alert issued from Haa Alif atoll to Thaa atoll for torrential rain, strong winds of 25 – 30 miles per hour and gusts of 50 miles per hour with very rough seas.
A yellow alert was issued in central atolls on Thursday afternoon for torrential rain, strong with and rough seas.
The country has been experiencing heavy rain showers and thunderstorms for the past few days and some islands experienced severe flooding.
Between 8am Wednesday to 8am Thursday, Gaafaru island in Kaafu atoll experienced 36.8 millimeters of rainfall.
During the same period, 35.1 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Thoddoo island of Alif Alif atoll and 33.5 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Fuvahmulah City.
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.