Bad weather to blanket the Maldives for 24 hours
Maldives experiences heavy rain showers and adverse weather conditions during the southwest monsoon as well as the northeast monsoon
Flooding in Malé City due to heavy rain showers
The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has stated that the weather across the entire country will be adverse for the next 24 hours, and that extra caution is necessary.
The Maldives Meteorological Service revealed that from 10am on Wednesday to 10am Thursday, there is a possibility of heavy rain in several regions of the island nation along with thunderstorms, and heavy showers have been predicted across some islands.
The department issued a white alert for the area from Gaaf Alif atoll to southernmost Addu City from 8am to 2pm on Wednesday. Further, a yellow alert was issued for the area from Raa atoll to Alif Dhaal atoll from 6:30am to 11:30am. Another white alert was issued from Haa Alif atoll to Faafu atoll after predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 40 miles per hour across the regions.
The agency stated that winds will gust from southwest, westerly at speeds between 13 and 23 miles per hour, with gusts potentially reaching up to 40 miles per hour during thunderstorms.
Due to the heavy rainfall affecting several regions of the Maldives, heavy rainfall has also been occurring in the capital Malé City, and relevant authorities have appealed on the public to take precautionary measures. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has also made efforts to drain flood water and place sandbags at the entrances of residential buildings and shops.
The weather department has also revealed that the sea will be moderately rough in the areas where thunderstorms have been predicted, with wave heights of 3 to 4 feet.
MMS urged caution from all parties, due to the adverse weather conditions. The department has especially appealed on seafarers to practice caution.
Due to heavy rainfall experienced across the island nation in the past 24 hours alone, Hulhulé witnessed a record amount of rainfall, between 8am Tuesday and 8am Wednesday. As such, 103.5 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Hulhulé. Further, Makunudhoo island in Haa Dhaal atoll experienced 95.9 millimeters of rainfall, Fuvahmulah City experienced 76 millimeters of rainfall, the capital Malé City witnessed 63.1 millimeters of rainfall, Alifushi island in Raa atoll experienced 57.8 millimeters of rainfall, Goidhoo island of Baa atoll witnessed 54.7 millimeters of rainfall, and Hulhumalé experienced 51.4 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 wave surges during high tides as well.
