The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has upgraded its earlier Yellow Alert to an Orange Warning for the Maldives, as weather conditions continue to deteriorate.

While the morning Yellow Alert from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. warned of strong winds up to 45 mph and rough seas from Raa Atoll to Laamu Atoll, the new Orange Warning extends from Baa Atoll to Thaa Atoll and will be in effect from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on January 3, 2025.

The upgraded warning indicates a significant threat of torrential rain and thunderstorms, with possible flooding expected across the affected regions. This intensification of severe weather follows the morning's challenges with high winds and rough seas.

Photo: Met Office

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Fire and Rescue Service remains actively engaged in flood response, particularly in Malé City, where pumps have been deployed in three locations to drain accumulated water and minimize disruptions to daily life.

Given the escalated warning level, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has urged everyone to take necessary precautions to minimise potential damage from deteriorating weather conditions.