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Met Services issue weather warnings to seafarers throughout Maldives

The Met services issued a yellow alert between Kaafu atoll and Laamu atoll from12:45 pm – 4:45 pm, Thursday.

Farah Ahmed
24 May 2018, MVT 17:18
Storm / Cyclone ockhi - bad weather - Vilimale'
Farah Ahmed
24 May 2018, MVT 17:18

Maldives Meteorological Service has advised the public, especially seafarers, to take necessary precautions as the prevailing South West monsoon is causing strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas across the country.

The Met services had even issued a yellow alert between Kaafu atoll and Laamu atoll from12:45 pm – 4:45 pm Thursday.

Surface winds are expected to vary from South West to Westerly at 15 – 22 miles per hour in the North and Central atolls during this time, and 7 – 17 miles per hour everywhere else in the country. Winds are expected to gust 45 miles per hour during showers.

Further, the low-pressure system in the Arabian Sea intensified to a tropical cyclone on May 22, 2018. The Met services stated that the cyclone, which is situated some 2050 kilometres North West of the Maldives, would not have adverse effects on the country.

However, the increased swell waves in the region due to the cyclone is expected to cause sea surges across the country, coinciding with the high tide timings, Met services said.

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has since declared that there may be delays in its ferry services between the Male and Hulhumale, as well as Male and Villimale due to the rough seas.

While MTCC assured that the ferry services from Male to its suburbs would be running, it had temporarily shut down 20 ferries that travel from Male to nine atolls across Maldives.

Met Services reiterated its caution to sea travellers as the seas are expected to remain rough for now. This weather is typical for 'Roanu Nakaiy', the Maldivian name for this particular south-west monsoon period, described as frequently stormy, with strong winds and rough seas.

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