The Health Protection Agency (HPA) issued an orange alert for dangerous air pollution across the greater Malé area as dust and industrial emissions from northern India continued to move across Sri Lanka towards the Maldives. Regional weather services said conditions would worsen from Friday until Monday.
HPA said current levels put vulnerable groups and others at risk of respiratory illnesses. The agency advised people with asthma, chronic lung issues, heart conditions and pregnant women to postpone outdoor activity. It asked vulnerable groups to wear N95 masks outdoors, keep doors closed and use air purifiers at home.
Meteorological data from the region show winter winds carry dust and industrial emissions from the Himalayas, which span India, Pakistan and China, towards the central Indian Ocean. This pattern appears each year around mid-December, and some years bring severe pollution episodes.
Maldives Meteorological Service reported reduced visibility and continued dry weather, which can trap pollutants near the surface. Officials warned that haze and related health complaints are likely to increase in the coming days.
Doctors advise parents to monitor children for cough, wheezing and shortness of breath, and to limit outdoor activity until air quality improves.