El Niño 2026: what it means for the Maldives
A strong El Niño is expected to peak around December. Here is what the Met Office forecasts for Maldivian heat, sea temperatures, reefs, rain, fishing and travel.
Mohamed Hussain
Stories by Mohamed Hussain for Maldives Now.
442 gas leaks since 2022 left 5 dead, 40 injured
The Ministry of Defence recorded 442 gas leaks nationwide since 2022, 74 of them this year, mostly blamed on faulty cylinder caps, worn seals and stoves.
Bandaarikoshi barracks to be rebuilt as flats
The Defence Ministry and MNDF will redevelop Bandaarikoshi 1 and 2 in phases, moving current residents into the new apartments once built.
Ex-Fenaka procurement head jailed for 19 months
The Criminal Court sentenced Mariyam Dheena to one year, seven months and six days for abuse of official position, rejecting a request for a non-custodial penalty.
Fish exports fall 59% in first eight months as tuna shipments slump
The Maldives exported 23,554 tonnes of fish from January to August, down 59% on a year earlier, with fresh and frozen tuna shipments falling by almost two-thirds.
STELCO signs 15MW solar power deal with China's Sinosoar for 13 islands
The 20-year, privately financed deal is the largest solar PV agreement yet in the Maldives and is expected to save 15 million litres of diesel a year, the ministry said.
HealthShFunadhoo
Air quality turns unhealthy in northern Maldives, Funadhoo reading near 160
Environment Ministry readings showed unhealthy air at Sh. Funadhoo and Villimalé on 27 October. Children, older people and those with breathing problems are most at risk.
Motorcyclist jailed, ordered to pay MVR 1 million blood money over Kadhdhoo crash
A Laamu court has jailed a motorcyclist for three years and ordered MVR 1 million in blood money over an elderly woman's death on a zebra crossing near Kadhdhoo airport.
MMA reminds foreign currency earners to convert September income before 28 October
The central bank says entities that miss the monthly foreign currency conversion deadline under the Foreign Currency Act will be named publicly.
Government bill would make treason and genocide crimes under the Penal Code
A government bill would criminalise genocide, treason and acts harming economic security, and permanently bar anyone convicted from public office.
Fisheries ministry offers 14 overseas scholarships in fisheries and marine research
The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources has opened 14 places for bachelor's and master's study abroad. Applications close on 15 November.
SportsKGuraidhoo
Palestine U-17 football team to train in K. Guraidhoo for second year running
Palestine's under-17 side will hold a 10-day camp in K. Guraidhoo and play two friendlies against the Maldives before AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers, FAM said.
New Radiant hand Eagles first defeat of the season with 7-1 league rout
New Radiant beat previously unbeaten Club Eagles 7-1 in the Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League on 24 October to move up to second in the table.
MDP MPs call for reversal of pay rises for Speaker and ministers
Twelve opposition MDP MPs say the Majlis Public Accounts Committee's decision on pay for the Speaker, ministers and island councillors will add MVR 40 million a year to state spending.
Majlis seeks official responses on petition to scrap MPs' special health insurance
A petition signed by 7,225 people calling for MPs' special health insurance to be abolished has been sent to the relevant state offices for their responses, the Majlis e-petition portal shows.
Nearly all the world's coral reefs at high risk of collapse by 2075, IUCN says
The first global IUCN Red List assessment of coral reef ecosystems rates 122 of 127 reef ecoregions, including all three in the Maldives, Critically Endangered.
India says it is keeping a close watch on Maldives–Pakistan agreements
India's foreign ministry said it is watching the agreements signed during President Muizzu's Pakistan visit and will take appropriate steps if necessary.
HDC takes first place among state-owned companies at Maldives Expo 2026 awards
The Housing Development Corporation won the state-owned companies category for models of early Hulhumalé vessels and a smart streetlight system.
