A white alert for heavy rain showers and thunderstorms has been issued from Laamu atoll to Addu City.

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) issued the white alert after predicting heavy rain showers and thunderstorms to prevail over the region, with winds gusting up to 45 miles per hour.

The white alert is among a number of alerts being issued across the Maldives, especially the south, over the course of the past few days.

The alert is in effect from 1:45pm to 6pm.

The department urged individuals to be cautious of the adverse weather conditions and strong monsoon activities such as heavy rain and strong winds.

Choppy seas will prevail throughout the entire country with the possibility of swell wave surges during high tides.

Generally, scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected over the entire country.

Winds will vary between west to northwesterly at 13 – 23 miles per hour, gusting at 45 miles per hour during showers.

Due to the strong activities of the southwest monsoon, the southernmost city has been severely affected by heavy rain showers which caused deep flooding throughout most of its districts. The monsoon has wreaked havoc across the city, inflicting damage reportedly heavier than ever before.