A meteorological service was established in Maldives in the early 1940s. It was first started with only a maximum and minimum thermometer, a rain gauge and an anemometer. The observations were done at a few times daily and the data was supplied to only a few parties. After 1974, Met office adapted to the international standard, SYNOP reports were done twice a day and the METAR reports were done from 5 am to 8 pm in addition with one upper air observation. The sea area forecasts and the route forecasts were prepared by the Colombo Observatory and sent to the Meteorological Centre via a SSB radio transceiver. Working under different offices of the government throughout the years, meteorological office became Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) in 2009. Today, MMS is responsible for the seismological and meteorological services in Maldives. There are 5 Meteorological offices under MMS, the station in Hulhule’ being the main office. Aviation and synoptic observations done in the other four stations are sent to the Hulhule station on their respective time via email or fax. Each of these stations are now working on 24/7. In addition to these stations, there are 20 automated weather stations and 3 tide gauges installed across the country which provides real time data to MMS.
MMS Service Charter can be downloaded from here.
This time line is an overview of Maldives Meteorological Service covered from 1942 to date.
04.19°N 073.53°E
Maldives joined World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) on the 1st of June 1980 and as per the WMO practice, MMS station in Hulhule is designated as the national meteorological center of the Maldives meteorological network. With the establishment of Department of Meteorology on the 1st of August 1980, this station has been functioning 24/7. Daily weather forecasts, aviation forecasts, weather warnings and marine forecasts are issued from Maldives Meteorological Service. MMS is also responsible for the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami alerts/warnings for Maldives. For the real time tide monitoring, a tide gauge is installed in Hulhule’, collaboration with the Hawaii University, USA.
06.75°N 073.17°E
H. Dh. Hanimaadhoo Meteorological Office was opened on 27th October 1990. At first, synoptic and aviation reports were made daily from 8 am to 5 pm and later, 5am to 9pm till October 2007. From the 1st of November 2007, meteorological observations are being done 24 hours. Hanimaadhoo also has a tide gauge installed for the real time monitoring of tide data. A seismometer is also installed for observing earthquakes and tremors over the region. This seismometer is connected to the global network for real-time analysis of earthquakes information.
01.86°N 072.10°E
On 9th December 1986, Kadhdhoo Meteorological Office was opened in Kadhdhoo regional airport. Function of the station was very basic, surface and aviation reports were made daily from 8 am to 5 pm and later, 5am to 9 pm. The station was made to function 24 hours on the 1st of November 2007.
00.49°N 072.10°E
Located in G. Dh. Kaadedhdhoo regional airport, it was opened on 11th December 1993, with hourly met reports done only from 8 am to 5 pm then. The number of observations were later increased from 5 am to 8 pm and from the 1st of May 2008, observations were made 24 hours in this station. A seismometer is also installed for observing earthquakes and tremors over the region. This seismometer is connected to the global network for real-time analysis of earthquakes information.
00.69°S 073.15°E
After the British Royal air force staff left their base in Gan in 1975, the Meteorological Office in Gan came under the Meteorological Centre/Airport Office. After Department of Meteorology was established, Gan Meteorological Office came under this department. Observations were done from 5 am to 8 pm. Since 23rd of March 1985 Gan Meteorological Office is a 24 hour working station. For the tide data collection, a tide gauge is installed in the Gan harbor. A seismometer is also installed for observing earthquakes and tremors over the region. This seismometer is connected to the global network for real-time analysis of earthquakes information.
Provide accurate, timely and reliable meteorological information to minimize the impact on life and property while supporting sustainable socio-economic development of the Maldives