Six houses in L. Fonadhoo have been destroyed beyond use by a tornado, states National Disaster Management Authority.

Maldives is experiencing heavy rain and thunderstorms on Saturday and the meteorological service predicts severe weather on Sunday as well.

At a press conference, the disaster management authority’s director general Sofeenaz Hassan said that six of the 12 affected houses in Fonadhoo has had its roofs ripped off by the tornado and that they are now assisting the victims with the help of the island council.

The authority advised the public to be cautious over the drastic change in weather to minimize the damage from heavy winds, potential swells, and floods. Sofeenaz instructed the public to keep their belongings in a safe place and watch out for signs of severe weather and stack sandbags to keep their houses dry.

The authority’s deputy chief executive Umar Fikree said they are working with Fonadhoo’s government authorities to assess the damages and will be updating the media on their findings.

Umar said that some houses no longer have power and that they will fix these issues as they make the assessments. A team from the disaster management authority is currently in the island.