Sh. Narudhoo experiences wave surges

Narudhoo island of Shaviyani atoll has experienced tidal waves, causing flooding within the island.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has revealed that soldiers from the MNDF Northern Area Command are actively providing assistance due to severe flooding.

Following heavy rainfall and flooding in some streets of the capital Malé City, officers of the MNDF Fire and Rescue Service were engaged in draining water on Thursday night and early Friday morning. MNDF reported that water drainage operations were carried out using pumps in three areas of Malé early Friday morning.

MNDF conducted water drainage operations in response to flooding in some streets of the capital city on New Years as well.

A majority of the Maldives is experiencing heavy rainfall these days, the Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) been issuing several alerts; both white and yellow across some areas of the country on Friday.

According to the weather department, the most recent yellow alert was effective through 3pm, between Kaafu atoll and Thaa atoll where torrential rain showers and thunderstorms with gusts of 45 miles per hour were experienced.

A white alert was also issued from Baa atoll to southernmost Addu City, after predicting strong winds of 19 – 24 miles per hour with rough seas to storm the region.

Another white alert was effective on Friday afternoon, from Baa atoll to Laamu atoll for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and winds gusting at 40 miles per hour.

On Friday morning, a yellow alert was effective from Raa atoll to Vaavu atoll for strong winds of 25 – 30 miles per hour and gusts of 45 miles per hour with very rough seas experienced in the region. A white alert was also effective from Shaviyani atoll to Meemu atoll for swell wave surges in the early hours.

The weather department has also urged caution from seafarers as swell wave surges are expected in some parts of northern and central atolls during high tides.