Orange alert issued for thunderstorms, torrential rain, flooding
Seas are expected to be rough in northern and central atolls
Flooding caused by heavy rain showers
An orange alert has been issued for torrential rain showers, thunderstorms and flooding in some parts.
The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has been issuing several alerts, white yellow and even orange over the past week due to the squally weather conditions prevailing nationwide.
The orange alert was issued from Haa Alif atoll to Shaviyani atoll from 08:30pm to 10:30pm, Tuesday.
It comes at the heels of a yellow alert issued across all islands of northern atolls for torrential rain showers and strong winds.
A white alert was also issued after sundown on Tuesday, for heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 40 miles per hour from Haa Alif atoll to Alif Dhaal atoll, effective until 11pm, Tuesday.
The department went on reveal that scattered showers with a few heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected across the entire country.
MMS highlighted that winds will be west to northwesterly at 13 – 23 miles per hour in northern and central atolls, at 8 – 18 miles per hour in southern atolls and winds are expected to gust 45 miles per hour during showers.
Seas are expected to be rough in northern and central atolls, moderate to rough in southern atolls during showers with a wave height of 6 – 8 feet in northern and central atolls and 3 – 6 feet in the south.
The country has been experiencing heavy rain showers and thunderstorms for the past few days and some islands experienced severe flooding.
Between 8am Monday to 8am Tuesday, Rakeedhoo island of Vaavu atoll experienced 18 millimeters of rainfall, Maamigili island of Alif Dhaal atoll experienced 17 millimeters of rainfall and Kelaa island of Haa Alif atoll experienced 15.9 millimeters of rainfall.
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.
