Pre-emptive action advised as Maldives braces for ‘supersized’ El Niño

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) advised pre-emptive measures on Wednesday to prepare for the impacts of El Niño, which the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns could be the strongest for more than 70 years.

El Niño is a natural weather phenomenon that develops in the Pacific Ocean and is linked to a change in wind patterns. It allows warm water to spread eastwards and releases heat into the atmosphere.

Sea temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific have risen sharply in recent months - a clear sign of a strengthening El Niño.

The WMO’s latest forecasts show “an exceptionally high likelihood of nearly 100%” that El Niño will persist through to February 2027.

In a statement on Wednesday morning, the NDMA warned that the Maldives was expected to face severe impacts of the El Niño as it strengthens.

The agency urged everyone to identify the potential impacts and make preparedness plans.

The NDMA highlighted the need to:

• Identify potential impacts and threats
• Businesses and institutions must compile and revise business continuity plans ensure uninterrupted provision of essential services
• Enhance existing mechanisms for supply of cargo and service
• Take precautionary measures based on the latest weather updates

ޕެސިފިކް ކަނޑުގައި އުފެދިފައިވާ "އެލް ނީނޯ" ގެ ބާރު އިތުރަށް ގަދަވަމުންދާއިރު، މީގެ ނޭދެވޭ އަސަރު ދިވެހިރާއްޖެއަށް ވެސް ވަރަށް ބޮޑަށް ކުރާނެކަމަށް ވަނީ ލަފާކުރެވިފައެވެ. އެހެންކަމުން، ހުރިހާ ދާއިރާތަކަކުން ވެސް މިކަމުގެ ސަބަބުން ކުރިމަތިވެދާނެ ގެއްލުންތައް ދެނެގަނެ،… pic.twitter.com/eGAGeu4iyU

— NDMA Maldives (@NDMAmv) September 9, 2026

The Maldives Meteorological Service forecasts the Maldives will face the most severe impacts of El Niño in November.