Vaavu Atoll

Bad weather, Yellow Alert from Baa Atoll to Vaavu Atoll

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) issued a Yellow Alert from Baa Atoll to Vaavu Atoll due to thunderstorms and rainfall. Gusts of 40 mph and rough seas are expected. The alert was issued at 12:45pm and will last until 5:00pm. Squalls are forecast across the Maldives for the next 24 hours. The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) is working to drain flooding caused by rain on roads in Male'.

Recovery teams retrieve first two Italian divers from Vaavu cave

Recovery teams have retrieved the first two bodies of Italian divers from the third chamber of the Vaavu Atoll Cave Dive site, bringing them to the surface and transferring them to a recovery vessel. The operation resumed with foreign cave diving experts and Maldivian authorities. The remaining two bodies are expected to be recovered tomorrow, depending on conditions. The bodies were located earlier this week by Finnish cave diving specialists. The mission is one of the most technically challenging underwater recoveries in the Maldives. Maldivian military diver Mohamed Mahudhee died from decompression sickness during earlier efforts.

Expert Divers Locate Bodies of Four Missing Italians in Cave

Foreign Minister Meets Italian Ambassador Following Vaavu Diving Tragedy

Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam met Italian Ambassador Damiano Francovigh to discuss the diving tragedy in Vaavu Atoll. The incident on May 14 near Alimathaa Resort left one tourist dead, four missing, and claimed the life of MNDF diver Mohamed Mahdhee (also known as Mohamed Mahudhee). Both sides expressed condolences and stressed cooperation in the ongoing search operation.

Military Diver Dies During Search for Missing Italian Divers

Five Italians Die During Deep Cave Dive in Maldives

Bank of Maldives expands ATM network in Vaavu Atoll with Fulidhoo and Thinadhoo launch

Bank of Maldives (BML) expanded its ATM network in Vaavu Atoll by inaugurating new self-service banking ATMs in Fulidhoo and Thinadhoo islands under the 'Mulhi Raajje ah BML ATM' initiative. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu attended the ceremony along with cabinet ministers, BML Chairperson Ahmed Ali Habeeb, CEO Mohamed Shareef, and senior executives. CEO Shareef noted that the new ATMs add to existing facilities in Keyodhoo and Feridhoo, with an upcoming ATM in Rakeedhoo to complete coverage across all inhabited islands in Vaavu Atoll. BML operates 42 branches across all 20 atolls, 165 Self-Service Banking Centres, and 224 ATMs, combining physical and digital banking to promote financial inclusion and economic development.

Stormy Skies Over Maldives: Met Office Issues White Alert Amid Severe Weather

The Maldives Meteorological Service issued a White Alert on May 6, 2025, effective 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, covering Noonu Atoll to Vaavu Atoll. The alert warns of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds up to 40 mph. This follows recent weather warnings, and residents and travelers are urged to exercise caution, especially in flood-prone and coastal areas.

Vaavu Atoll Council Files Complaint Against Tourism Ministry Over Lagoon Lease

The Vaavu Atoll Council filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleging that the Tourism Ministry's lagoon leasing process undervalues two lagoons. The council claims the ministry measured only sandbanks, which fluctuate in size, resulting in a drastically smaller recorded area than the actual size. For lagoon LD-1366, the ministry measured 0.62 hectares while the council says it is 195 hectares; for another lagoon, 0.14 hectares vs. 158 hectares. The council argues this undervaluation enables illegal profits and asks the ACC to halt the transaction. The complaint was signed by Council President Shujau Ali.

Government Will Introduce Legislation Re-Directing State Revenue to Councils: President Muizzu

President Mohamed Muizzu announced that the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) will redirect a percentage of state revenue to island councils. Speaking on Keyodhoo Island in Vaavu Atoll, he said the Tax Administration Act will be amended to ensure councils receive a share of revenue collected by MIRA. The government also plans to amend the Decentralisation Act and Tourism Act to redirect a portion of the Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) from local tourism to councils. Muizzu stressed the need for parliamentary cooperation to pass the amendments, urging voters to elect a cooperative parliament in the upcoming April elections. The President's Office dismissed criticism that Muizzu's official visits are being used for campaigning.