Yellow alert extended to northernmost atolls, white alert issued from Noonu to Addu atoll
Maldives continues to experience heavy rainfall due to the storm formed near Sri Lanka on Thursday
Heavy rainfall has caused flooding in various parts of the country
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.
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.
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'.
