Met forecasts rainy weather over Fitr al-Eid holiday

Maldives Meteorological Service forecasts Maldives to be affected by rainy weather over the upcoming Fitr al-Eid holiday.

Officials from Ministry of Islamic Affairs will convene to determine the new moon marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal this coming Monday. Astronomers forecast this current Ramadan is a 29-day month, and the month of Shawwal – and with it the Fitr al-Eid holiday – will begin on Tuesday, June 4.

Maldives Meteorological Service reported this Sunday that the Hulhangu Monsoon (South West Monsoon) has begun gathering strength. It forecasts rain showers over a large part of Maldives as well as isolated thunderstorms for the next 72 hours starting from Monday.

The agency forecasts winds will be particularly strong in northern and central Maldives.

Surface winds will vary between southwest/westerly, at 15 – 25 miles per hour in northern and central atolls and up to 18 miles per hour over southern atolls. 

Maldives Meteorological Service has warned seafarers to be cautious as seas are expected to rough in general in northern and central Maldives, and rough during gusts in southern Maldives.

Maldivians will receive a five-day holiday this Eid al-Fitr as it overlaps the weekend. The rainy weather forecasted over the holiday may possibly affect domestic travel plans and sports activities and celebrations to mark the holiday.