Met Office: Weather conditions to gradually improve over next 48 hours

Maldives Metrological Service (Met Office) has forecasted bad weather for northern and central Maldivians on Saturday, however, states weather conditions will gradually improve over the next 48 hours.

Torrential rain battered Maldivian islands throughout Friday. Majority of the capital Male’ City was flooded following nonstop rain since Friday afternoon. According to authorities, 30,000 tonnes of water have been drained from Male’ roads alone.

Met Office, on Saturday, said weather and sea conditions are expected to improve gradually over the next 48 hours.

However, they have forecasted rainfall for northern and central atolls. In this regard, Met Office said northern and central atolls can expect scattered showers with few heavy showers and thunderstorms. Meanwhile, apart from a few showers, generally fine weather is expected in the southern atolls.

While weather & sea conditions are expected to improve gradually over the next 48 hrs, rainfall is still expected in north-central Maldives today.

Weather forecast valid from 6 am - 6 pm ????

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Winds will be from northeast to easterly direction in all regions apart from southern atolls, where it will be from west to southwesterly direction. Gusts of 35 miles per hour is expected in northern and central atolls during showers.

The sea is generally forecasted to be moderate, however, will be rough during showers. The wave height is estimated at four to six feet.

According to National Disaster Manager Agency (NDMA), 226 residents from 36 homes in Male’ City that were impacted by flooding were provided temporary shelter and food as damage to their residences rendered them uninhabitable at that time.

Eight islands also reported damage following severe floods. They include:

• F. Nilandhoo: 80 percent of the island was flooded
• Dh. Kudahuvadhoo: Some 10 homes recorded damage
• Dh. Meedhoo: Some 10 homes recorded damage
• F. Magoodhoo: Nine homes recorded damage of which residents of one were relocated to temporary shelter
• K. Guraidhoo: 60 homes recorded damage to various extent
• F. Feeali: Residents of one home relocated to temporary shelter
• K. Himmafushi: 60 percent of homes flooded

Notably, R. Inguraidhoo and Sh. Narudhoo recorded significant damage after swell waves swept in the islands during high tide.