Extreme weather hinders search for man missing in dinghy

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has said that efforts to search for the man who went missing last Thursday after he left from Gaafu Dhaalu Fares-Maathoda on a dinghy have been hindered due to the extreme weather.

Media Officer for MNDF Abdulla Ali said today that they have not ceased the search for 30-year-old Mohamed Falah of Rosy Side, Gaafu Dhaalu Fares-Maathoda, but they finding it difficult to properly continue the search due to the bad weather in the area. Abdulla Ali said that their “Kurangi” helicopter is unable to go on patrols due to the weather.

“We are receiving information from that area that the seas are rough and that the weather is bad, so we have temporarily stopped using the helicopter. The rough sea is making it difficult to conduct the search from sea.” Abdulla Ali said.

Mohamed Falah is reported to have gone missing near an uninhabited island near Fares-Maathoda called Uhehuttaa. MNDF said that he departed on a 14-foot dinghy painted light green.