The Maldives Meteorological (MET) Office has said that today saw the highest recorded feels-like temperature in Male' this year.

As per the records from the MET Office at 2:00 pm today, Male's feels-like temperature was 39.1 degrees Celsius at that time.

However, feels-like temperatures for regions other than Male' at the time were at regular temperatures or lower than 37 degrees Celsius.

The second highest recorded feels-like temperature this year was on 6th April. Hanimaadhoo experienced a feels-like temperature of 39 degrees Celsius at 11:00 am on the day.

The highest feels-like temperature ever in Maldives was recorded on 1st April 2024 in Male', with it being at 48 degrees Celsius.

The MET Office said last week that the El Niño weather pattern is intensifying in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to bring above-normal temperatures to the Maldives over the next three months.

According to MET’s forecast for September to November, the central region, from Male' Atoll to Thaa Atoll, is expected to receive more rainfall than usual during the period, while the southern atolls are likely to receive less rainfall than normal.

However, the office said that temperatures across the country are expected to be above normal.

The agency said one of the main effects of El Niño is unusually warm sea surface temperatures, which could threaten the health of coral reefs and create challenges for the fishing industry through changes in sea currents and other weather conditions.

Reduced rainfall in some areas is another potential effect, which could adversely affect agriculture, MET said.

Sea surface temperatures in the Pacific have risen to 2 degrees Celsius above normal during the current El Nino event, according to MET. The Niño 3.4 index showed sea surface temperatures rising by 1.8 degrees Celsius this month alone.

Although El Niño originates in the Pacific Ocean, MET said its effects are being felt in other regions, with changes now evident in both oceanic and atmospheric conditions.