Authorities urge caution as severe weather continues

Authorities on Saturday urged seafarers to be cautious as severe weather continues to affect most parts of the country.

Maldives Meteorological Service forecasts heavy rain and thunderstorms with gusts of 45 mph expected in northern and central atolls.

Fairly widespread rain with a few heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected over the country, it said.

Met Office said winds may gust west, north-westerly 7 to 17 miles per hour in southern atolls and 13 to 23 miles per hour elsewhere. Winds may gust to 45 miles per hour during showers.

It added that seas are expected to be moderate in southern atolls and rough elsewhere while wave height is to reach between 3 and 6 feet in open seas.