The Maldives Meteorological Service has released an orange alert for intense rainfall and flooding occurring between the Kaafu and Vaavu atolls in the nation.

The alert is valid from 8:50 pm to 10:30 pm this Wednesday.

The MET Office had previously released a yellow alert from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, predicting thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and winds reaching 45 mph in thunderclouds. The alert status was increased to orange, the third level in the MET warning system, due to a swift escalation of rainfall. An orange alert is usually given when 90 mm of rainfall is anticipated in one hour or 120 mm over six hours.

Torrential rain has already led to flooding in multiple areas of the capital. MNDF Fire and Rescue units are setting up pumps in various spots throughout Male' City.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised the public to implement precautionary actions to mitigate harm from the extreme weather conditions. Residents are urged to position sandbags at access points to stop water from entering, relocate food and possessions to elevated areas, secure loose items that could be blown away, unplug unused electrical devices, and prepare essential supplies.

The MET Office reports that thick rain clouds are developing over atolls to the west of the Maldives as a result of the strengthening of the western monsoon across the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The projection for the coming 24 hours suggests predominantly cloudy conditions with scattered rain, southwest and west winds ranging from 10 to 20 mph, and wave heights between four and seven feet.

Authorities have urged seafarers to be vigilant, mentioning that sea conditions will continue to be turbulent for the next three days, especially in the northern and central atolls.