A white alert has been issued over regions where heavy rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to prevail.

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) issued the white alert over regions between Haa Alif Atoll and Laamu Atoll.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms with winds gusting at 40 miles per hour are expected over these regions from 2:15pm to 7:15pm.

Generally, the department forecasts scatters of rain showers and a few thunderstorms over the north, and central atolls where showers are likely to be heavy at times.

Southern atolls are expected to experience a few showers as well.

The department stated that surface winds will vary between southeast to southerly at 5 – 15 miles per hour in the south and southwest to westerly at 8 – 18 miles per hour throughout the rest of the country. Winds are expected to gust 40 miles per hour during showers.

Further, seas are expected to be slight becoming moderate during showers in a south and moderate become rough during showers elsewhere.

MET has also urged caution against swell wave surges during high tide times throughout some regions.