Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) has extended the white alert issued across the country until Tuesday afternoon due to the continued risk of sea swells.
MET Office initially issued the alert on Monday, warning of swell waves between 10:30am and 3pm. It has now been extended from 10pm on Monday until 2:30pm on Tuesday.
No significant sea swells were reported during the alert period on Monday. However, high tides on Sunday afternoon caused flooding and damage in several parts of Male' after seawater surged into low-lying coastal areas.
MET Office has warned that the risk of sea swells is expected to remain elevated on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The increased risk coincides with this month's full moon, when tidal ranges are expected to be higher. Combined with strong westerly monsoon winds, the higher tides could increase the likelihood of sea swells in parts of the Maldives. The Met Office has not specifically attributed the alert to the full moon.
In the Greater Male' area, tides are forecast to peak higher on Thursday afternoon than on the previous two days:
- Sunday (July 26): 12:02pm – 0.95 metres
- Monday (July 27): 12:53pm – 0.81 metres
- Wednesday (July 29, Full Moon): 1:40pm – 0.98 metres
Forecast models indicate westerly winds of up to 30mph and wave heights of between two and five feet. As these conditions are expected to coincide with the daily high tide, the greatest risk of sea swells is likely to occur between 1pm and 2:30pm on Wednesday.
