Yellow Alert issued over north and central Maldives

Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) has issued a Yellow Alert from Haa Alifu atoll to Vaavu atoll, effective from 11:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs today.

These areas are expected to experience strong winds of 25–30 miles per hour, with gusts reaching up to 50 miles per hour, along with very rough seas.

Strong convective clouds with gust winds are moving from west to east over Central Maldives area, MET added.

In a report released by MET today, wind speed records from Tuesday midnight to last night 00:00 hrs showed the highest wind speeds at Baa atoll Dharavandhoo, where winds reached 55 miles per hour.

The second highest wind speeds were recorded at Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuffushi, with 47 miles per hour.

The windiest day on record in Maldives occurred on May 29, 1991, when winds of 103.5 miles per hour were recorded at Seenu atoll Gan.

MET Office has forecast that the southwest monsoon will intensify, bringing strong winds, rough seas, and widespread rain across much of the country.

Although rainfall is expected to be below normal across large parts of the country this month and in the next two months, some northern atolls may experience average or above average rainfall during this period.

The southwest monsoon is expected to end in December, giving way to the northeast monsoon.