Weather expected to worsen as school holidays loom

The national weather agency forecasts strong winds and rough seas across the Maldives starting Wednesday – just ahead of the school holidays – and persisting for the next five days.

In a statement on Monday, the Maldives Meteorological Service noted that the monsoon transition period frequently observes low pressure circulations in the Maldives area.

The agency said that a low-pressure area is likely to form in Bay of Bengal on Monday, and move towards Tamil Nadu coast, India, in the next two days.

Additionally, a low-pressure area is expected to form in the far south of Maldives during this week, with a westward movement.

The Meteorological Service said that the combined effects of these systems will result in strong winds impacting the country starting Wednesday, and persisting for the following five days.

The warning comes with schools set to close for the year-end holidays on Thursday, and scores of people expected to travel both domestically and internationally on vacation.

According to the weather agency, average winds are projected to reach 17 to 27 miles per hour in southern and central atolls, and 13 to 23 miles per hour in northern atolls.

Consequently, seas are expected to be rough in northern atolls and very rough in central and southern atolls.

Squally thundershowers with possible gusts up to 40 - 55 miles per hour are also expected, as well as swell waves in south and central atolls.

The weather agency urged everyone, especially seafarers, to exercise caution and take note of the latest weather updates and alerts.