Orange alert for central Maldives as torrential rain floods Male’ streets

The national weather agency issued an orange alert for central Maldives on Tuesday, as torrential rain flooded the streets of the capital, Male’ City, damaging vehicles and seeping into homes.

The flooding in the capital comes as the Maldives Meteorological Service upgraded the weather alert for central Maldives from a yellow alert to an orange alert, warning of torrential rain and thunderstorms with flooding for the area from K. Atoll to ADh. Atoll.

The new alert is in effect from 02:15 pm to 06:15 pm on Tuesday.

The flooding in Male’ – triggered by non-stop rain since the morning – has prompted the deployment of police and soldiers to dewater streets and stack gunny sacks at the entrances of homes to prevent floodwater from seeping into homes.

Flooding has also been reported from multiple islands across the country, with people evacuated from flood-affected homes to safer areas.

Al Jazeera reported on Monday that parts of the Maldives, including the capital is expected to see a month’s worth of rain in three days.

The bad weather affecting the Maldives is triggered by an active Southwest Monsoon, locally known as the Hulhuangu Monsoon.

Maldives Meteorological Service said HA. Kelaa saw a record rainfall of 231.5 millimeters on Monday.

Meanwhile, HDh. Hanimaadhoo recorded 177.5 millimeters of rainfall, R. Irufu recorded 102 millimeters, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi recorded 77.8 millimeters, and K. Kaashidhoo recorded 69.6 millimeters.

F. Nilandhoo recorded maximum gust winds of 45 miles per hour.

Maldives Meteorological Service says that widespread rain with thunderstorms is expected to prevail over the country during the next five days.

Average winds are expected to be 17-27 miles per hour over northern and central regions, and 13-23 miles per hour in the south.

Gust winds are expected to reach 60 miles per hour.

Seas are expected to be rough, becoming very rough during showers.

The weather agency has warned that swell wave surges are possible during high tide.

It urged everyone, especially seafarers, to be cautious and take all safety precautions.