The Maldives Meteorological Service  has issued a series of weather alerts as the southwest monsoon intensifies, warning of rough seas, strong winds, and widespread rainfall across the country over the next four days.

According to the official weather advisory, the adverse conditions are expected to persist from July 17 to 20 , affecting both northern and central regions the most severely. The MET Office has urged the public and maritime operators to exercise caution, particularly in light of potential wave surges and deteriorating sea conditions.

Multiple white alerts published by the Met Office indicate hazardous weather patterns developing across various regions. A countrywide alert warns of swell wave surges between 02:00 p.m. and 06:00 p.m. on July 17, while another issued for the area between Haa Alifu and Vaavu Atolls forecasts strong winds ranging from 19 to 24 mph, with gusts peaking at 45 mph and associated rough sea conditions between 02:30 p.m. and 08:30 p.m. on the same day.

The advisory highlights the likelihood of light to moderate rain or thunderstorms across isolated parts of the country, with wind speeds expected to intensify. Southern atolls may experience squally winds ranging from 5 to 10 km/h, while northern and central regions could see gusts reaching 20 km/h or more.

The weather advisory further notes that conditions at sea, especially in open waters, are predicted to become increasingly rough, particularly during rainfall. Fairly widespread showers and thunderstorms are also anticipated during this period, accompanied by the risk of wave surges during high tides. These conditions are expected to worsen over the upcoming weekend, raising concerns about public safety and transport disruptions.