Yellow alert from Baa Atoll to Vaavu Atoll as Maldives experiences heavy rain

The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has issued a Yellow Alert for the central atolls, warning of worsening weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas.

According to the alert issued on Friday, adverse weather conditions are expected from Baa Atoll to Vaavu Atoll from 12:45pm to 17:00pm. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast across the region during this period.

Met Office warned that wind speeds could reach up to 40 miles per hour during gusts, resulting in very rough sea conditions.

As persistent rainfall continues to trigger flooding in several parts of the country, authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant. Winds of up to 40 miles per hour could uproot trees and damage roofing structures, prompting calls for residents to take necessary safety precautions.

In response to the deteriorating weather conditions, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a public safety advisory. To reduce the risk of flood damage, residents have been advised to place sandbags at entrances to prevent water from entering homes and to move valuables and electrical appliances to higher ground.

The public has also been urged to switch off unused electrical appliances and secure areas vulnerable to electrical short circuits. Property owners are further advised to reinforce roofing sheets and trim trees within their compounds to minimize potential wind-related damage.

Met Office and NDMA have repeatedly urged seafarers to exercise extreme caution. In particular, operators of small vessels have been advised to avoid travel during the Yellow Alert period. Those undertaking essential journeys are urged to ensure all safety requirements are met.

Authorities stressed the importance of checking the latest weather forecasts before departure, ensuring communication equipment is operational, and wearing life jackets throughout the journey.

To address flooding incidents, the NDMA is coordinating response efforts with island councils and the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF). Statistics show that flooding incidents have increased in recent years, with heavy rainfall remaining the leading cause of reported disasters nationwide.

To strengthen emergency response efforts, water pumps procured through assistance from the Japanese government were recently distributed to 10 island councils to facilitate faster floodwater removal. In the Greater Malé area, relevant agencies have taken steps to ensure drainage systems remain clear and are on standby to respond to potential street flooding.