Met Office Warns of Severe Weather

Maldives Meteorological Service says heavy rain and strong winds will hit many parts of the country over the next 24 hours.

The Met Office issued a warning for southern atolls. It also placed Lhaviyani Atoll under a yellow alert. The agency expects heavy rain and thunderstorms. Wind gusts may reach 40 mph during showers.

Officials say the rain may intensify. A system in the southwest Bay of Bengal could develop into a cyclonic storm. The Met Office expects calmer weather next month.