The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has issued a weather warning predicting heavy rains and rough seas with the onset of the rainy season or southwest monsoon.
The Met Office said bad weather will be experienced across the country for five days starting Thursday night. The Met Office predicted strong winds and rough seas, as well as swell waves.
"Winds are expected to be between 15 and 25 mph with gusts between 45 and 50 mph. Seas will be rough and thunderstorms are expected in some parts of the country," the Met Office said in a statement.
The Met Office advised seafarers to be vigilant during this period and called for precautionary measures to mitigate the damage that might be caused by heavy rains and flooding.
The Met Office said the southwest monsoon began on May 10. Since then, heavy rainfall has been experienced in different parts of the country and there have been several incidents of flooding in the past week.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised the public to take precautions by securing roofs and other items that can be blown away by wind and by preparing for flooding.
