The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) has extended the yellow alert issued to the northernmost atolls; Haa Alifu to Shaviyani atoll.
In a tweet posted on Friday night, MET Office said that the alert has been extended till 12:15 am. Two yellow alerts were issued earlier on Friday as well, from Haa Alifu to Kaafu Atoll.
MET Office said that torrential rain is expected over the area, with average winds of 30 to 35 mph with winds expected to gust at 55 mph over the region.
ALERT YELLOW
— Maldives Meteorology (@MetMaldives) December 1, 2017
Advisory:
Torrential rain with average winds of 30-35 mph & gust winds of 55 mph expected.
Area: Between Haa Alifu and Shaviyani atoll.
Period: 01/2015 hrs - 02/0015 hrs.
ISSUED: 2000 hrs 01 Dec 2017
-MetService-
The office has also issued a white alert, from Noonu to Addu atoll on Friday night.
MET Office said that heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected over the southern atolls, with gust winds of 45 mph.
The alert is also issued 8:15 pm to 12:15 am.
ALERT WHITE
— Maldives Meteorology (@MetMaldives) December 1, 2017
INFORMATION:
Heavy rain & thunderstorms with gusts of 45 mph expected.
Area: Between Noonu and Addu atoll.
Period: 01/2015 - 02/0015 hrs.
ISSUED: 2000 hrs 01 Dec 2017.
-MetService-
While the tropical depression that had formed near Sri Lanka turned to a storm on Thursday, its Department of Meteorology had issued three red alerts on Thursday.
However, earlier on Friday, the Maldives Embassy in Sri Lanka noted that Cyclone Ockhi was 'moving further away' from Colombo, and that 'its effects on Sri Lanka are expected to lessen gradually'.
