Several flights to and from Velana International Airport (VIA) were delayed on Friday as strong winds and heavy rain affected flight operations.

Flight tracking data from Flight Radar showed a number of aircraft remained airborne for extended periods while awaiting landing clearance during the morning.

The affected airlines included Aeroflot, Qatar Airways, SriLankan Airlines, IndiGo and FitsAir.

A flydubai flight travelling from Sri Lanka to the Maldives was diverted back to Colombo due to the adverse weather.

According to the Velana International Airport flight schedule, at least four international arrival flights were delayed.

The disruptions came as the Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) issued a Yellow Alert, warning of winds of up to 50mph.

In a weather update issued on Thursday, the MET Office said the heaviest rainfall is expected today.

The agency said a low-pressure trough over the northern and south-eastern parts of the country has generated extensive rain clouds across the western Maldives.

MET Office has forecast unsettled weather across most parts of the country, with adverse conditions expected to continue over the next two days.