Heavy rain expected to persist through Monday

The heavy rain being experienced over a larger part of the Maldives is expected to persist at least through Monday, says the national weather agency.

It has been raining heavily in the capital, Male’, since early Thursday.

An official from the Maldives Meteorological Service told Sun on Thursday morning that the rains are expected to continue over a large part of northern and central Maldives, with scattered showers in the south over the next 24 hours.

Heavy rain is expected over the large area from HA. Atoll to L. Atoll starting Friday, and will not let up in northern and central regions until at least Monday.

“But there will be scattered showers in the south even after Monday,” said the official.

The weather agency forecasts northeast/easterly winds at 8 – 18 miles per hour. Winds may gust to 40 miles per hour during showers.

Seas are expected to be moderate becoming rough during showers, with waves of 3 - 6 feet.

The weather agency has issued a white alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 40 miles per hour for the area from N. Atoll to Th. Atoll for at least until 01:00 pm.