The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) has issued a yellow alert over regions where swell wave surges are expected.

Predicting torrential rain showers, thunderstorms and strong winds of 25 – 30 miles per hour, gusting to 55 miles per hour in the regions, MET issued the yellow alert from Shaviyani atoll to Faafu atoll.

The department has predicted choppy seas as well as swell wave surges during high tide times, in these regions.

The alert will remain in effect from 5pm to 9pm.

Overall the department has predicted scattered rain showers and a few thunder storms to prevail over the country with a few heavy showers in central atolls and the north.

Winds are expected to increase 45 – 55 miles per hour during showers and surface winds will vary between west to north westerly at 13 – 23 miles per hour.

Urging caution against rough seas during showers, MET stated that swell surges are possible throughout Maldives.

Since the southwest monsoon began, the Maldives has been experiencing squally weather conditions with incessant rain showers that have caused flooding in a number of islands, especially in the south.

Some of the regions have suffered from heavy damage to property and households due to flood water entering homes, and authorities have been deploying officers of the Maldives National Defense Force in order to assist the people.