The Maldives Meteorological Services (Met Office) has issued a warning to prioritise safety during the peak hot season in the Maldives.
In a statement released on Monday, Met Office highlighted that March and April are the hottest months in the Maldives. During this period, weakened winds, clear skies, and high humidity exacerbate the warm air temperature, resulting in a "feels like temperature" that is higher than the actual recorded temperature.
They further disclosed that the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has warned of temperatures surging above normal, coinciding with another El Niño event.
The highest temperature of the day is typically observed around 1400hrs. The the highest temperature is likely to reach 40 degrees Celsius, with "feels like" temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius in central atolls on March 12.
As the heat is expected to intensify over the next few days across the Maldives, Met Office has urged caution from the public due to potential health concerns. These concerns include fatigue, dizziness, headaches, dehydration, and eye damage, among others.
The public is advised to avoid taking children outdoors during high heat, use umbrellas for shade, wear light-colored clothes that cover more skin, don wide hats, and follow other essential precautionary measures, such as using sunscreen to prevent sun damage.