Met Office forecasts nationwide heavy rain for Thursday; no impact of cyclone

Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has forecasted heavy rain across Maldives as the southwest monsoon hails active over the archipelago.

Met Office, on Thursday, said the low-pressure formed in south Bay Bengal, southeast of Maldives, will transform into a cyclone in the course of the day.

The cyclone, which has been named Mocha, as per the Met Office, will intensify into a very severe storm sometime tonight as it moves northwest.

Although Maldives will not be directly impacted by the storm – Met Office forecasts heavy rain across the archipelago. Some islands are also expected to experience thunderstorms.

Winds will blow from southwest/westerly at 15 to 25 miles per hour. They could gust up to 40 miles per hour during showers. Seas will be rough.

“Therewith, we urge everyone, especially seafarers, to exercise caution over weather,” Met Office said.

They have also issued a white alert from Noonu Atoll to Thaa Atoll starting from 9:00am till 3:00pm – warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the region.