Heavy monsoon weather currently affecting the Maldives has caused significant disruptions at Velana International Airport (VIA), forcing several international flights to divert or remain in holding patterns due to strong winds and extremely low visibility.

A FlyDubai flight bound for Malé was forced to divert to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as it was unable to land safely. Furthermore, several other major carriers, including Qatar Airways, IndiGo, SriLankan Airlines, Aeroflot, and FitsAir, were forced to hold in the air for extended periods due to the deteriorating conditions on the runway.

Aviation meteorological reports indicate that wind speeds in the airport area have surged past 35 knots. Torrential rain has also severely reduced visibility for pilots, making landing operations hazardous. The Maldives Meteorological Service has issued a Yellow Alert for the region between Haa Alif Atoll and Faafu Atoll, warning of wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph and exceptionally rough seas.

As the Maldives experiences the peak of the Southwest Monsoon (Hulhangu), weather experts and authorities are urging those traveling by sea and air to exercise extreme caution and stay updated on the latest weather advisories.