Scattered rain, thunderstorms expected across Maldives this weekend

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has stated that rain showers are expected across islands in northern atolls of the island nation with week.

The department revealed that islands in northern atolls are expected to experience scattered rain showers, with some islands in central atolls expected to experience scattered rain on Friday, and heavy rain showers in some atolls on Saturday.

Further, some atolls in the south are expected to experience scattered rain this weekend.

The department went on to reveal that scattered showers and a few thunderstorms battered the country on Thursday, with heavy showers experienced at times in northern atolls.

Winds were south to southwesterly at 5 – 15 miles per hour in southern atolls and southwest to westerly elsewhere at 8 – 18 miles per hour, gusting at 35 miles per hour during showers on Thursday.

In addition to this, seas were slight in southern atolls and moderate elsewhere, churning rough during showers with a wave height of 2 – 5 feet in southern atolls and 3 – 6 feet in northern and central atolls.

Between 8am Wednesday and 8am Thursday, 29.3 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Kahdhoo island of Laamu atoll, and 15.6 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Kulhudhuffushi City of Haa Dhaal atoll.

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.