Orange alert for strong winds from B. Atoll to Addu

Maldives Meteorological Service has issued orange alert for a large part of Maldives, and has warned that strong winds and swell wave surges are expected to prevail over the next 24 hours.

The orange alert is in effect for the area from B. Atoll to Addu City, from 10:30 pm this Saturday to 02:30 am on Sunday.

Maldives Meteorological Service forecasts the area will be affected by average winds of 34 to 40 miles per hour with gusts of 60 miles per hour, and very rough seas.

Mohamed Aslam, a meteorologist from Maldives Meteorological Service told Sun that the bad weather is expected to prevail across Maldives over the next 24 hours.

“Given the strong winds, there is chance for some islands to be affected by swell wave surges. There’s also chance for torrential rain and flooding in some islands. But the worst aspect is the winds,” he said.

Aslam said he is unable to say exactly which area of Maldives will be affected by swell wave surges as the weather conditions are bad all across the country. He said that the risk of swell wave surges is high for islands which normally experience swell wave surges during bad weather.

He has also warned that there is risk of coconut palms and trees collapsing due to the strong winds, and said that several islands have already reported such incidents.

Aslam said that it is not safe for sea travel amid such weather conditions, and advised that sea travel be limited to unavoidable trips.