Weather begins to clear up, but strong winds prevail

The weather has begun to clear up after a week of torrential rain, but strong winds continue to prevail over a large part of the country, says the Maldives Meteorological Service.

Torrential rain affected a large part of the country last week, resulting in extensive flooding, especially in the capital Male’ and multiple islands in the north.

An official from the weather agency told Sun that strong winds will continue to prevail over northern and central regions of the country for the next 48 hours. However, the winds have grown weaker than that experienced last week.

The weather agency advised seafarers to remain vigilant and check for the latest weather updates.

The Meteorological Service predicts that winds will weaken starting Tuesday.

Maldives experienced widespread rain over a large part of the country last week. On Tuesday, 89.4 millimeters of rainfall – which weather experts said was unusually high - resulted severe flooding in the capital, Male’ City, damaging homes and disrupting transport.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) received 256 requests for assistance due to flooding in houses in Male’. 23 individuals from five families were moved out of flood-affected homes, including 13 children.

The northern Maldives also experienced torrential rain, with at least 20 islands reporting flood damage to homes.

Islands in the HA. Atoll were the worst-hit, with at least six families relocated from flood-affected homes in Hoarafushi, and two families each in Baarah, Kelaa and Ihavandhoo.

NDMA said on Sunday that two families moved out of their homes in Male’ remain in temporary shelters.