Search commenced for missing person at sea

Authorities have begun searching for an individual who went missing from Raffles Maldives located in south of Maldives, after going kayaking at sea earlier this morning.

The individual is a Bangladeshi male employed at the resort's boat.

Maldives Police said that the missing persons report was received by the authority around 15:30 hrs, and that the search is now underway.

This incident comes at a time when Maldives, especially the southern area of the country is experiencing rough weather amidst the ongoing 'Hulhan'gu' (southwest) monsoon which lasts from May until November.

In fact, an orange warning was issued by Maldives Meteorological Services (MET) for Addu and Fuvahmulah cities which are located just below Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, where Raffles Maldives is based in.

Weather is still bad in most parts of the country, with MET forecasting strong winds and rough seas including storm surges at times, warranting a level two yellow advisory.

The first level is a White Alert (information), indicating significant thunderstorms forecasts with evidence from satellite, radar or the Lightning Detection Network (LDN).

The second alert level is a Yellow Advisory forecasting moderate thunderstorms backed by evidence from satellite, radar or the Lightning Detection Network (LDN).

An Orange Warning is a level three alert forecasting heavy rain and floods of around 90 millimetres of rain in an hour or 120 millimetres of rain in six hours.

Red Warnings are issued with 180 millimetres of rain in six hours. Winds during a red warning reach as high as 70 miles per hour.