Maldives is expected to experience unsettled weather conditions marked by active cloud formations and convective activity over the coming days, although there is no threat of cyclone formation in the North Indian Ocean during the next week, according to the latest regional outlook.
In its Tropical Weather Outlook issued early Friday, the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones in New Delhi confirmed that scattered low and medium clouds with embedded moderate to intense convection are currently present over parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, including areas covering the Maldives. Despite the active cloud cover, the probability of cyclogenesis remains nil for the next 168 hours across both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal .
Meteorologists observed a cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining south Kerala coast at around 1.5 kilometres above mean sea level as of 0300 UTC on December 19. This circulation is contributing to enhanced cloudiness and convective conditions over the Maldives and nearby regions, though it is not expected to intensify into a depression or storm system .
The bulletin further notes that while moderate to intense convection is present over the Maldives and surrounding maritime areas, cloud distribution elsewhere in the Arabian Sea ranges from scattered to isolated, with only weak to moderate convection observed in northern and western sectors. In the Bay of Bengal, cloud cover remains scattered with no organised system developing .
Weather authorities emphasise that the outlook serves as regional guidance, advising island communities and maritime operators to stay alert to localised rainfall and changing sea conditions, while reassuring that no tropical depression or cyclone is forecast during the coming week. Country-specific updates will continue to be issued by national meteorological agencies as conditions evolve.
