The national weather agency has issued a yellow alert for central Maldives, forecasting torrential rain and thunderstorms for the region.
The alert is for at least until 04:00 pm Saturday.
According to the Maldives Meteorological Service, the area from Lh. Atoll to V. Atoll will experience torrential rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 40 miles per hour, as well as rough seas.
Torrential rain expected pic.twitter.com/IqLKK3vYy7
— Maldives Meteorology (@MetMaldives) December 20, 2025
The current spell of bad weather comes with the onset of the Northeast Monsoon, locally known as the Iruvai Monsoon.
The Maldives experiences two distinct seasons: the Southwest or Hulhangu Monsoon, which typically runs from May to November, and the Northeast or Iruvai Monsoon, which usually lasts from January to March.
The impact of the Iruvai Monsoon is initially felt in the northern regions in early December, gradually spreading from the northern atolls to the entire country by January. 
This year, the Hulhangu Monsoon commenced for the northern region on December 17.
The transitional period as one monsoon ends and the other sets in usually unleashes heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas.
Authorities urge everyone, especially seafarers, to remain vigilant, ensure safety measures are in place, and stay updated on the latest forecasts and alerts.