Meteorological Service (Met Office) has issued white alerts across the Maldives and has said that heavy rain, thunderstorms and sea swells are expected.
While it has been extending its alerts since Tuesday, a white alert was issued between Kaafu and Faafu atolls, as well as Gnaviyani and Seenu atolls on Wednesday afternoon, and is valid until 9pm. Winds are expected to gust at 45 mph in the area.
ALERT WHITE
— Maldives Meteorology (@MetMaldives) May 23, 2018
INFORMATION:
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and gust winds of 45 mph expected.
Area: Between Kaafu & Faafu atoll, Gnaviyani and Seenu atoll.
Period: 23/1515 hrs - 23/2100 hrs.
ISSUED: 1455 hrs 23 May 2018.
-MetService-
An additional alert was issued later in the evening, between Baa and Thaa atolls, until 11pm on Wednesday, with winds expected to gust at 45 mph as well.
ALERT WHITE
— Maldives Meteorology (@MetMaldives) May 23, 2018
INFORMATION:
Average strong winds of 23 - 29 mph with gusts of 45 mph expected.
Area: Between Baa atoll and Thaa atoll.
Period: 23/1725 hrs - 23/2300 hrs.
ISSUED: 1715 hrs 23 May 2018.
-MetService--
Noting that seas ‘are expected to be rough in the central and slight becoming moderate during showers elsewhere’, MET Office advised mariners to take extra caution when traveling out in the sea ‘as high winds and rough seas are expected, particularly in central atolls’.
Furthermore, the Met Office warned that swell waves are expected during high tide and may hit the northern atolls at around 6:39pm, central atolls at around 7:53pm and southern atolls at around 9:20pm.
