Haze Conditions Persist Across Maldives Amid Dry-Season Weather

Haze conditions are expected to continue across the Maldives from today through Wednesday, though the dry‑season haze is not anticipated to clear completely.

The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met) said visibility and air quality will continue to fluctuate during the ongoing Iruvai season. Conditions are expected to improve slightly from today afternoon, although the haze is likely to persist due to dry weather. Visibility in the Malé area dropped to two kilometres on Saturday, marking a continued impact on the capital region.

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Earlier forecasts had predicted clearer skies around New Year’s Day, with improvements expected from 1 January. Despite this, Saturday’s haze prompted adjustments to aircraft operations. Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) activated Special Visual Flight Rules (SVFR) as visibility fell below five kilometres, temporarily suspending standard Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to ensure safe flying conditions.

The haze has significantly reduced distance visibility across the capital, with landmarks such as the Thilamalé Bridge barely visible from ferries travelling between Malé and Villimale’.

Air quality has also been affected. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Malé reached 84 on Saturday, according to IQAir. PM2.5 concentration stood at 27 micrograms per cubic metre, more than five times the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter, including dust, haze, and chemical pollutants that can penetrate the respiratory system.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported that the highest pollution levels were recorded in Villimale’ and Dhaalu Atoll, reaching red‑alert levels. This category indicates that everyone is at risk of adverse health effects, including serious lung and heart complications. Last Wednesday saw some of the worst haze levels reported across multiple atolls, and the HPA has forecast continued haze from Thursday through Monday.