The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) has issued a white alert for the entire country, warning of heavy rain and strong winds from 9:30am to 2pm today.
MET said winds of up to 40mph, accompanied by heavy torrential rain, are expected across the Maldives during the alert period.
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The warning comes after a period of severe weather conditions that has affected the country.
The adverse weather has also caused two oil tankers that had drifted from Malé Harbour to strike a pillar of the Sinamalé Bridge on Thursday night.
White Alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms. pic.twitter.com/3p9uWJ8i57— Maldives Meteorology (@MetMaldives) September 13, 2026
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said the vessels, which were under the custody of the Maldives Customs Service, broke free from their anchors amid severe weather before drifting beneath the bridge.
The two vessels collided with a main pillar of the Sinamalé Bridge superstructure before continuing out of Malé Atoll and eventually sinking approximately 30 nautical miles outside Maldivian territorial waters.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised public institutions and businesses across the country to strengthen disaster preparedness and protect critical operations, warning that the El Niño weather phenomenon is rapidly intensifying across the Pacific Ocean.
