Threat of Cyclone Nilam to Maldives reduced: Met Office

The Department of Meteorology (Met Office) has said that Maldives is being indirectly affected by Cyclone Nilam formed over Bay of Bengal in India; however, the cyclone is now moving away from Maldives.

Nilam hit the coast of Sri Lanka yesterday, causing serious devastation to thousands of people. It is now headed towards Tamil Nadu in India, where state of emergency has been declared.

Meteorological Technician at Met Office Thahmeena Abdul Kareem told Sun Online today that the bad weather experienced in the Maldives over the past three days was caused by the rain clouds formed over Maldives due to Nilam.

She said that the cyclone has now gone down in strength.

“Nilam is expected to hit Tamil Nadu this evening, following which rain and winds will be reduced in Maldives. It is now moving away from Maldives,” she said.

In spite of this, Met Office has informed that widespread rain with isolated squally showers and rough seas will be experienced over the country for the next 24 hours. Winds are expected to gust at 15 to 30 knots in western, southern and central atolls; and 8 to 12 knots in northern atolls.

“Winds will still pick up to 50 knots during squalls,” Thahmeena said.

The bad weather has caused flooding in several islands, including Hoarafushi, where about 600 people have been affected. It has also destroyed crops, and caused accidents in the sea all over the country.