The Maldives Meteorological Service has extended the Yellow Alert issued in the morning for the northern atolls and issued a White Alert for the southern atolls.
Due to the worsening weather, a Yellow Alert was initially issued from HA. Atoll to Th. Atoll from 06:00 to 10:00 in the morning. The Yellow Alert was issued for these atolls anticipating heavy rain and strong winds. Winds were expected to blow between 25 and 30 miles per hour in the area, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour and rough seas. Upon the expiration of that alert, the Yellow Alert has now been cancelled for some atolls and extended from HA. Atoll to ADh. Atoll. The alert has been extended until 02:00 in the afternoon.
The Met Office also issued a White Alert at 10:00 in the morning from L. Atoll to Addu City. The White Alert, anticipating heavy rain and thunderstorms for these atolls, is valid until 02:00 in the afternoon.
The Met Office stated that due to the strengthening of the Southwest Monsoon over the Maldives area, winds are generally expected to blow between 15 and 25 miles per hour in the northern and central regions for the next four days. In the southern regions, winds are expected to blow between 13 and 23 miles per hour, with stronger gusts and rough seas.
"Winds may gust to approximately 45 to 55 miles per hour during showers. Therefore, seas across all atolls of the Maldives are expected to be very rough," the Met Office said.
With heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds expected over the next four days, the Met Office noted that tidal swells are possible during high tide.
As rough seas and heavy rain with strong winds are anticipated, the Met Office has urged everyone to be cautious of the weather. The agency also requested seafarers to obtain the latest weather information before commencing their journeys.
