Stormy weather ahead as monsoon transition begins

The monsoon transition period has begun in the Maldives, unleashing widespread rain across the country.

The Maldives Meteorological Service had issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms over a large part of central and southern Maldives on Tuesday. Lightning strikes were reported in Hulhumale’, resulting in structural damage to at least one building.

The Meteorological Service stated on Wednesday that the current spell of bad weather is due to the monsoon transitional period, as the Iruvai Monsoon transitions into Hulhangu Monsoon.

There is currently a white alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 40 miles per hour in effect for the area from Lh. Atoll to Addu City.

The alert is in place until 04:00 pm.

Alert White for heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 40 mph. pic.twitter.com/assHLWbdqz

— Maldives Meteorology (@MetMaldives) April 29, 2026

The Meteorological Service expects scattered rain with a few heavy showers and thunderstorms across the country over the next 24 hours. Winds are expected at west/northwesterly at 5-15 miles per hour, with gusts of 40 miles per hour during showers.