Police have urged seafarers to exercise caution after numerous containers aboard an MPL barge moored at the commercial harbour fell into the sea and went adrift.

Police said that MPL had reported the incident at around 11:10pm last night.

Police said that the containers are expected to be carried by the tide between Dhoonidhoo and Feydhoofinolhu, and asked those travelling in the area to be alert. 

It is so far unclear how many containers had fallen into the sea, or what it contained. 

The Male' area experienced severe adverse weather last night, with heavy showers and strong winds, with the MET Office having issued a Yellow Alert.