Weather expected to remain poor with rough seas on Eid al-Adha; public urged to exercise caution
The Maldives Meteorological Service has forecasted adverse weather conditions and rough seas across much of the country during this year's Eid al-Adha holidays. With strong winds and turbulent seas expected to persist until Friday, authorities have urged travelers to exercise extreme caution and stay updated on weather alerts. While heavy rain is anticipated for the northern and central atolls over the coming days, the department noted that the southern atolls are likely to experience slightly better weather conditions.
A vessel navigates through turbulent seas. As weather conditions across the Maldives deteriorate, authorities have urged seafarers to exercise heightened caution. | RaajjeMV
The Maldives Meteorological Service has warned of deteriorating weather conditions and rough seas on the day of Eid al-Adha.
According to the academic calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. In observance of the holiday, the government has declared the entire week a public holiday. As a result, a significant number of people have begun traveling to various islands across the country.
The National Meteorological Service has urged the public to remain vigilant, forecasting that the adverse weather conditions are expected to persist through this coming Wednesday.
In this regard, rainfall is expected across the central and northern regions, while weather conditions in the south are anticipated to remain relatively fair.
Furthermore, the department has forecasted rough seas across all regions. Winds are expected to strengthen starting Monday, with sea conditions remaining hazardous through Friday.
The national weather office has forecasted widespread rain and thunderstorms across the Maldives from 10:00 AM Sunday to 10:00 AM Monday. Winds are expected to prevail from the southwest and west at speeds between 8 to 18 mph, with gusts potentially reaching up to 35 mph during showers.
The National Meteorological Service has stated that seas are expected to be moderately rough, with wave heights ranging between 3 and 6 feet.
The onset of the southwest monsoon consistently brings varying degrees of damage to both Male' City and the outlying atolls. Over the past 24 hours, R. Alifushi recorded the highest rainfall at 38.8 mm. Other significant measurements included 12.5 mm in AA. Himandhoo, 6.7 mm in Male', 6.2 mm in Sh. Funadhoo, and 5.8 mm in N. Maafaru.
Heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding across islands, causing water to inundate homes and damage property. The adverse weather has also triggered dangerous incidents, including trees being uprooted and roofs being blown off by strong winds. Furthermore, there has been a significant increase in the frequency of maritime accidents.
Consequently, all relevant authorities have urged the public to exercise special caution and remain vigilant regarding the prevailing weather conditions.
