Weather worsens, multiple incidents at sea

Weather conditions across the Maldives worsened, leading to multiple incidents at sea on both Sunday and Monday.

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said on Monday that its Coast Guard is assisting vessels in three separate incidents at sea.

MNDF added that six more incidents were reported to the Coast Guard on Monday early hours. According to the security force, Coast Guard received report of a vessel running ashore to Thimarafushi Airport around 01:10hrs.

The vessel 'Kolhuhiya' was traveling with 9 passengers and 5 crew members when it was beached due to rough seas. MNDF confirmed there were no injuries in the incident.

In another incident, a rope connecting a tug boat to a barge snapped, causing the barge to drift to Kaafu atoll Guraidhoo, while the tug is currently anchored near the same region. The incident, according to MNDF, was reported around 02:54hrs on Monday in the early hours.

The engine of a supply boat, named "Bina Cargo," stopped working 11 miles outside Laamu atoll Hithadhoo. The vessel reported flooding around 02:43hrs, and is currently being hauled by another vessel. The Coast Guard's fast interceptor craft 'Maafaiy' is extending assistance, MNDF added.

Besides this, MNDF said a fishing vessel named 'Fishmen' had sent a distress call around 03:20hrs on Monday in the early hours. The vessel was en route to Laamu atoll and was 23 miles outside of Hithadhoo when it reported flooding. MNDF added that the vessel managed to travel to Laamu Hithadhoo harbor on its own with 'Maafaiy' providing assistance.

MNDF also provided support to another vessel named 'South Express' carrying 10 passengers. The vessel, which reported flooding around 02:48hrs, has been transported to Laamu Maamendhoo harbor with Coast Guard's third squadron assistance around 09:00hrs on Monday morning.

MNDF's Central Area Command personnel in Dhaalu atoll Kudahuvadhoo, provided assistance to another vessel, an 80-foot boat, that reported flooding as well. A Bangladeshi crewman on board was injured in the incident and was transported to Faafu atoll Nilandhoo Hospital with assistance from Central Area Command's third squadron. The incident was reported around 05:00hrs on Monday morning.

The Maldives has been experiencing heavy rainfall and stormy weather conditions across various parts since Sunday, while rainfall is expected for another 24 hours, according to the Maldives Meteorological Center (MET Office), and thunder will likely accompany it as well.

MET forecast wind speeds will reach 18 miles per hour from south-southwest for southern parts and from west-northwest direction for other regions. Gusts will increase up to 40 miles per hour, MET added.

Seas are expected to be moderately rough across the Maldives, with sea swells expected to reach heights of four to 7 feet.

Many terrible incidents have occurred at sea owing to stormy weather and rough seas, which have resulted in the loss of lives. 

Authorities have already cautioned the public to take extreme safety measures while traveling.