Villimale’, Dhaalu and Laamu hit red alert as haze pushes air quality to unhealthy levels

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has warned that air pollution caused by haze will continue to affect parts of Maldives for the next five days, with several regions now under red and orange alerts.

Quoting the National Meteorological Agency (MET), the HPA said the haze is concentrated in central atolls, but is also affecting other parts of the country. The pollution is expected to persist until early next week.

Maldives is experiencing seasonal haze carried by northeasterly winds from India, which often contains pollutants from agricultural burning and urban smog.

Red alert: Villimale’, Dhaalu and Laamu atolls

The highest levels of air pollution have been recorded in Villimale’, Dhaalu Atoll and Laamu Atoll, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached red alert levels. At this level, everyone is at risk of adverse health effects, including serious respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

The HPA recommends the following precautions in red alert zones:

• Avoid outdoor sports and exercise  

• Wear N95 or equivalent masks when outside  

• Keep doors and windows closed  

• Use air purifiers indoors  

Orange alert: Male', Fuvahmulah, Shaviyani Atoll

The next most affected areas are Male', Fuvahmulah and Shaviyani Atoll, where AQI levels have triggered an orange alert. This means that vulnerable groups are at high risk of respiratory problems.

މޯލްޑިވްސް މީޓިއޮރޮލޮޖިކަލް ސަރވިސަސް ގެ ތަފާސް ހިސާބުތަކުން ދައްކާގޮތުން ރާއްޖޭގެ ސަރައްޙަދުތަކަށް، ޚާއްޞަކޮށް މެދު ރާއްޖެތެރޭގެ އަތޮޅުތަކަށް ދުންފުހުގެ (Haze) އަސަރު ވަރަށް ބޮޑަށް ކުރަމުންދޭ. ކުރިއަށް އޮތް 5 ދުވަހުވެސް ދުންފުހުގެ (Haze) އަސަރު ރާއްޖޭގެ ސަރަޙައްދުގައި ހުންނާނެ… pic.twitter.com/0K28HLtBtE

— Health Protection Agency (@HPA_MV) January 7, 2026

Vulnerable individuals include:

• Infants and children  

• Elderly people  

• Pregnant women  

• Patients with respiratory or heart conditions  

• People with allergies  

Authorities advise these groups to limit outdoor activities and wear protective masks when outside.

The HPA has urged the public to regularly check air quality updates via the Environment Ministry’s online portal and IQAir Visual. A MET official previously noted that heavy rainfall could help clear the haze, but no significant rain is forecast in the coming days.

With air pollution now affecting both urban and island communities, health officials are calling for extra caution, especially from those with pre-existing conditions.