Strong winds, heavy rain expected in some parts this weekend
The department has been issuing a number of white alerts across the Maldives due to the squally weather conditions
Flooding caused by heavy rain showers
The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has revealed that heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected in some parts of the Maldives this weekend.
The weather department revealed that scattered showers are prevailing across some islands in northern atolls on Friday, and will continue through Saturday.
Some islands in central atolls are experiencing heavy rain showers on Friday. The weather conditions are expected to intensify and strong winds have been predicted to prevail across central atolls on Saturday.
On Friday, islands in southern atolls are being battered with strong winds and heavy rain fall. Some islands in southern atolls will experience heavy rainfall on Saturday as well.
The department has been issuing a number of white alerts across the Maldives due to the squally weather conditions. As such, a white alert was issued for strong winds of 19 – 24 miles per hour and rough seas across the regions between Thaa atoll and southernmost Addu in the early hours of Friday. The white alert was extended through 10:30am, later on.
Another white alert was issued from Thaa atoll to Gaaf Dhaal atoll until 9am on Friday, after heavy rain and thunderstorms were predicted to batter the region.
A white alert was effective until 3pm on Friday between Meemu atoll and Addu City for heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 40 miles per hour.
Strong winds of 19-24 miles per hour with gusts of 40 miles per hour and rough seas provoked another white alert across Laamu atoll to Addu City, effective until 04:30pm Friday.
Overall, scattered showers and thunderstorms prevailed across central and southern atolls on Friday, with rough seas across southern atolls.
The department advised caution from all inhabitants of central and southern atolls due to adverse weather conditions.
Although tides were recorded as low as 1.3 feet in the early hours of Friday, it rose to 1.8 by afternoon and will drop to -0.4 by nightfall in northern atolls.
Central atolls experienced tides rising as high as 2.3 in the early hours of Friday, dropping to 0.6 by morning and rising to 1.5 in the afternoon. It will drop to -0.5 by nightfall. Tides will rise to 2.4 feet in the early hours of Saturday before dropping to -0.6 by the end of the day.
The department revealed that southern atolls will experience tides dropping from 2.6 to -0.5 by the end of Friday and ascending to 2.7 feet by early Saturday and dropping further to -0.6 by the end of the day.
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.
