White Alert Issued for 9 Atolls Due to Anticipated Strong Winds

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) has issued a White Alert for 9 atolls in the Maldives, anticipating strong winds.

The White Alert was issued from Lhaviyani Atoll to Thaa Atoll at 08:30 in the morning. The alert, effective until 02:30 in the afternoon, was issued for these atolls due to anticipated heavy rain with thunderstorms and strong winds of 40 miles per hour during squalls.

The MET Office stated yesterday that due to a depression formed southeast of Sri Lanka and an associated low-pressure trough, heavy rain with thunderstorms is expected over a large part of the Maldives during the first five days of the new year. The MET Office also forecasted strong winds and rough seas, with the possibility of tidal swells affecting some islands.

Winds are expected to blow from the north and northeast over northern and central atolls, and from the west and northwest over southern atolls, at speeds between 15 and 25 miles per hour. Seas are generally expected to be rough, as winds may gust up to approximately 50 miles per hour during squalls.

Due to the anticipated bad weather, the MET Office has urged everyone, especially seafarers, to pay attention to the latest weather forecasts and alerts issued by the office.

In relation to this, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has urged seafarers to obtain the latest weather information before starting their journeys and to ensure that safety measures and communication systems are fully functional when setting out.