The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) has issued a White Alert covering areas from Kaafu Atoll to Addu City as strong winds and rough sea conditions are expected across the region.
The alert was issued at 11:30am on Monday and remains in effect until 5:30pm.
According to the MET Office, wind speeds are forecast to range between 19 and 24 miles per hour, with gusts expected to reach up to 40 miles per hour. Authorities have also warned that sea conditions are likely to become rough during the alert period.
The MET Office noted that the southern atolls typically begin experiencing the effects of the Southwest monsoon, locally known as Hulhan’gu, during the first or second week of May. Weather conditions then gradually extend toward the central atolls before the monsoon fully establishes itself nationwide by the end of the month.
Officials further stated that this year’s Southwest monsoon officially began in the southern atolls on Friday, May 8.
The Northeast monsoon season in the Maldives generally runs from January through March.
