Yellow alert extended for northernmost atolls, until 6:15 am
The severe weather was caused by a depression that formed near Sri Lanka, which later developed into a cyclone, just 200 km away from the capital Colombo
Heavy rainfall has caused flooding in various parts of the country
Maldives Meteorological Services (MET Office) has extended the yellow alert issued for the northernmost atolls, for a fourth time on Friday.
In a tweet posted on Friday night, MET Office said that the alert for Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu and Shaviyani atolls has been extended from 12:15 am to 6:15 am on Saturday.
Torrential rain with average winds of 28 to 35 mph with gust winds of 55 mph are expected over the region, sea swells are expected as well.
MET Office has also cautioned sea travelers 'to take extra precaution against strong winds and rough seas'.
The severe weather was caused by a depression that formed near Sri Lanka, which later developed into a cyclone, just 200 km away from the capital Colombo. The powerful cyclone has killed at least 16 people across India and Sri Lanka, uprooting trees and cutting power for millions.
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'.
