According to Met Maldives, a cyclonic circulation which is currently located far east of Maldives in the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move westwards.
PSM News
The Maldives Meteorological Services (Met Maldives) released the latest weather news brief on 12th January 2025 as Maldives is expected to experience adverse weather conditions in the coming days. According to Met Maldives, a cyclonic circulation which is currently located far east of Maldives in the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move westwards. With this, Met Maldives states that the system is expected to cause the formation of intense convective clouds over the Maldives area.
With these changes, the Met Office advises citizens to expect rain with occasional heavy showers and thunderstorms over a fairly widespread area across the country from 13 to 18 January 2025. In addition to this, the Met Office also states that average winds are expected to strengthen during this period along with rough seas over the area. Citizens have also been advised to take caution as swell surges are likely, particularly over northern and central atolls.
In recent years, the Maldives has been experiencing increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, including prolonged periods of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds. This is not an isolated phenomenon but rather a recurring trend attributed to the impacts of climate change. For a low-lying island nation like the Maldives, these changes highlight the pressing need for immediate climate adaptation measures to mitigate risks to infrastructure, livelihoods, and natural ecosystems - which has been experienced across islands of the Maldives with the heavy rainfall in the past few months.
In light of the current forecast, Met Maldives urges citizens, especially those in northern and central atolls, to take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves and their property. Some caution that can be taken include securing loose objects, avoiding venturing into rough seas, and staying updated with the latest advisories from the authorities. Residents in low-lying areas should also remain vigilant for potential swell surges and flooding as households, especially those located near the ocean are likely to experience the worst of the changes in weather conditions.
