A wave of public outrage swept across Malé Monday night after residents reported feeling tremors linked to a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck the Nicobar Islands in India. The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) initially dismissed the event as having “no impact” on the Maldives—but only hours later acknowledged that tremors had indeed been felt and recorded.
The earthquake struck at 11:41 PM Maldives time, originating over 2,200 kilometers from the capital. While no tsunami was generated, residents across Malé and Hulhumalé took to social media reporting tremors in apartments and high-rise buildings. MET Office early public advisory, however, downplayed the event, stating categorically that the earthquake posed no threat to the Maldives and offered no explanation for the shaking that many clearly felt.
That silence sparked a swift backlash online, with citizens accusing the agency of ignoring lived experiences and failing in its duty to communicate transparently during seismic events. Critics demanded immediate clarification and questioned why no localized data or follow-up response was issued despite the growing alarm.
Now, nearly 8 hours later, the MET Office has finally issued a statement confirming that its seismometer in GDh. Kaadedhdhoo detected tremor activity at approximately 11:48 PM—just minutes after the initial quake. The agency also acknowledged receiving reports of shaking in parts of Malé and Hulhumalé.
Despite the belated confirmation, the MET Office maintains that the earthquake poses no further risk to the Maldives.
The incident has reignited public concern over the effectiveness of real-time communication from national institutions during natural events. “Acknowledging what people feel is the bare minimum,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote. “Saying ‘no impact’ when the ground is shaking beneath us only erodes trust.”
Experts note that while distant quakes of this magnitude rarely cause structural damage in the Maldives, tremors can still travel through the seabed and be felt in elevated or flexible buildings. Past events have shown that even minimal ground movement—especially in the capital’s densely populated high-rises—can cause panic if not addressed promptly by authorities.
As of Tuesday morning, no injuries or damages have been reported. Nonetheless, the public conversation now centers less on the earthquake itself and more on the transparency, readiness, and responsiveness of the institutions tasked with safeguarding public confidence during uncertain moments.
The MET Office concluded its update by reassuring the public that no additional threat is expected. However, the aftershock this time may be reputational—one that the MET Office will have to work harder to manage.
