The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has warned that air pollution caused by haze will continue to affect parts of Maldives for the next five days, with several regions now under red and orange alerts.
Quoting the National Meteorological Agency (MET), the HPA said the haze is concentrated in central atolls, but is also affecting other parts of the country. The pollution is expected to persist until early next week.
Maldives is experiencing seasonal haze carried by northeasterly winds from India, which often contains pollutants from agricultural burning and urban smog.
Red alert: Villimale’, Dhaalu and Laamu atolls
The highest levels of air pollution have been recorded in Villimale’, Dhaalu Atoll and Laamu Atoll, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached red alert levels. At this level, everyone is at risk of adverse health effects, including serious respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
The HPA recommends the following precautions in red alert zones:
Avoid outdoor sports and exercise  
Wear N95 or equivalent masks when outside  
Keep doors and windows closed  
Use air purifiers indoors  
Orange alert: Male', Fuvahmulah, Shaviyani Atoll
The next most affected areas are Male', Fuvahmulah and Shaviyani Atoll, where AQI levels have triggered an orange alert. This means that vulnerable groups are at high risk of respiratory problems.
މޯލްޑިވްސް މީޓިއޮރޮލޮޖިކަލް ސަރވިސަސް ގެ ތަފާސް ހިސާބުތަކުން ދައްކާގޮތުން ރާއްޖޭގެ ސަރައްޙަދުތަކަށް، ޚާއްޞަކޮށް މެދު ރާއްޖެތެރޭގެ އަތޮޅުތަކަށް ދުންފުހުގެ (Haze) އަސަރު ވަރަށް ބޮޑަށް ކުރަމުންދޭ. ކުރިއަށް އޮތް 5 ދުވަހުވެސް ދުންފުހުގެ (Haze) އަސަރު ރާއްޖޭގެ ސަރަޙައްދުގައި ހުންނާނެ… pic.twitter.com/0K28HLtBtE
— Health Protection Agency (@HPA_MV) January 7, 2026
Vulnerable individuals include:
Infants and children  
Elderly people  
Pregnant women  
Patients with respiratory or heart conditions  
People with allergies  
Authorities advise these groups to limit outdoor activities and wear protective masks when outside.
The HPA has urged the public to regularly check air quality updates via the Environment Ministry’s online portal and IQAir Visual. A MET official previously noted that heavy rainfall could help clear the haze, but no significant rain is forecast in the coming days.
With air pollution now affecting both urban and island communities, health officials are calling for extra caution, especially from those with pre-existing conditions.