HULHULE-MALE’ BRIDGE PROJECT

EIA for the proposed Hulhule-Male’ Bridge Project
4.1.2 Winds
The winds that occur across Maldives are mostly determined by the monsoon seasons. The two
monsoons are considered mild given that Maldives is located close to the equator. As a result,
strong winds and gales are infrequent although storms and line squalls can occur, usually in the
period May to July. During stormy conditions gusts of up to 60 knots have been recorded at
Male’.
Wind has been uniform in speed and direction over the past twenty-plus monsoon seasons in the
Maldives (Naseer, 2003). Wind speed is usually higher in central region of Maldives during both
monsoons, with a maximum wind speed recorded at 18 ms-1 for the period 1975 to 2001. Mean
wind speed as highest during the months May and October in the central region. Wind analysis
indicates that the monsoon is considerably stronger in central and northern region of Maldives
compared to the south (Naseer, 2003).
Besides the annual monsoonal wind variations there are occasional tropical climatic disturbances
(tropical storms or low intensity tropical cyclones) in the central region which increases wind
speeds up to 110 km/h, precipitation to 30 to 40 cm over a 24 hour period and storm surges up to
3 m in open ocean (UNDP, 2006).
Table 4.2 summarises the wind conditions in central Maldives throughout a year. Medium term
meteorological data from Hulhule Meteorological Centre (see Figure 4.2, Figure 4.3 and Figure
4.4) and findings from long-term Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (COADS) are
used in this analysis.
Table 4.2: Summary of General Wind Conditions from National Meteorological Center
Season Month Wind
NE - Monsoon December Predominantly from NW-NE.
January
February
High Speeds from W
Transition Period 1 March From all directions. Mainly W; High Speeds from W.
April
SW - Monsoon May Mainly from W.
June
July
August
September
High Speeds from W.
Transition Period 2 October
November
Mainly from W.
High Speeds from W
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