The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) has stated that feels-like temperatures across various parts of the Maldives have risen significantly this week, remaining above 38 degrees Celsius in many islands.

Temperatures peaked yesterday and on Tuesday, with Malé recording a feels-like temperature of 38.6°C and Hdh. Hanimaadhoo reaching 38.5°C. Additionally, the feels-like temperature in Malé stood at 38.2°C at 11:00 AM today.

The country's temperatures are being influenced by the strengthening of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. The Met Office previously projected in August that temperatures across the Maldives would remain higher than usual over the upcoming three-month period, with overall national temperatures elevated.

The Met Office noted that the primary impact of El Niño on the Maldives is the unusual warming of seawater, which threatens coral reef ecosystems and poses challenges to the fishing industry due to changes in ocean currents and conditions. A secondary impact is reduced rainfall in certain regions, which will negatively affect agriculture. Over the next three months, central Maldives is projected to receive above-normal rainfall, while southern atolls are expected to experience below-normal rainfall.

To date, the highest recorded feels-like temperature in the Maldives reached 48°C in Malé on April 1, 2024.