MET expects conditions to ease after several days

The Maldives Meteorological Service says conditions are expected to gradually improve after the next few days, following a spell of rain and strong winds across the country.

The western monsoon is currently moving across the Maldives, bringing heavy showers and causing damage in several islands. According to MET, the north and central atolls will continue to see rain over the next 24 hours, while southern atolls will experience comparatively calmer conditions.

Wind speeds are forecast at 8 - 15 mph in southern atolls, and 10 - 20 mph in central and northern atolls, lower than the gusty conditions experienced over the past week.

MET said seas in the south will remain calm during the next 24 hours. However, moderate to increasingly rough seas are expected in the central and northern atolls as the monsoon system continues to move eastward.

When asked about when the rains would begin to ease, MET said showers are likely to persist in the central and northern regions for the next few days, but there are no indications of heavy rainfall after that period.

Schools are set to reopen on Sunday after the long mid-year break, and MET advised parents and students to pay close attention to weather conditions during the transition period.