MET forecasts strong winds; MNDF tells public to delay travel and follow safety rules

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) has forecast strong winds and rough seas in the country in the coming days.

Authorities have urged the public to tighten safety measures as large numbers of people begin travelling ahead of the upcoming Eid holidays.

Seafarers have been advised to inform the relevant authorities before departure and to ensure that vessels are equipped with lifejackets, communication devices and functional bilge pumps.

Cargo vessels have been instructed not to overload, while divers and water‑sports operators have been urged to pay close attention to weather conditions.

ކަނޑު ދަތުރުކުރާ ފަރާތްތަކުން މޫސުމަށް ސަމާލުވުމަށް އިލްތިމާސްކުރަން.https://t.co/jCOVSDJ9cU pic.twitter.com/AFAxkr5IxE

— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) May 21, 2026

The Maldives Police Service has also issued advisories for road users due to the bad weather. Police have advised motorcyclists to wear sturdy raincoats that will not tear in strong winds, and to keep coats and scarves away from their faces. Drivers have been urged to keep headlights on during flooding and to slow down to avoid splashing pedestrians.

The highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was recorded in Thoddoo, Alifu Alifu Atoll, which saw 144 mm of rain.

The MET Office has also issued a yellow alert for the central atolls.

މޫސުން ގޯސްވެ، ވައި ގަދަވެ ކަނޑުތައް ގަދަވާނެކަމަށް މޫސުމާ ބެހޭ އިދާރާއިން ލަފާކޮށްފައިވާތީ، ކަނޑު ދަތުރުކުރައްވާ ފަރާތްތަކުން މިކަންކަމަށް ހާއްސަ ސަމާލުކަމެއް ދެއްވާ! pic.twitter.com/jpJbmmBkaH

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) May 21, 2026

Thursday marks the second day of the fourth constellation of the western monsoon season, Roanu, a period typically associated with heavy rain and rough seas.

The MET Office said the southwest monsoon began in the southern atolls on the 8th of this month.

The MNDF Coast Guard has strongly advised all travellers to obtain the latest weather forecasts and to avoid travelling during yellow or orange alerts, noting the expected surge in sea traffic during the Eid holidays.