Environment.

On September 29, 2026, the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources granted permission to Meritole Private Limited to conduct a commercial pilot project for mud crab fattening in the Kulhiye Valhagande mangrove of G.Dh. Fiyoaree. In addition, it was revealed that an artificial reef constructed using 54 submerged concrete blocks to protect the shoreline in collaboration with MIT's Coastal Assembly at a Marriott resort operating in the Maldives has doubled the beach area without any sand nourishment.

Following public criticism after a case surfaced involving a foreigner who hooked and pulled a protected stingray onto the street from the Malé Fish Market area, police began investigating the matter on 26 September 2026. Forecasting rain in the northern and central regions of the Maldives, with wind speeds between 13 to 23 miles per hour, gusts reaching 40 miles per hour, and seas with waves rising between 4 to 7 feet, the Met Office has advised sea travelers to exercise caution. Meanwhile, a recent research report highlighted significant economic and environmental opportunities to earn millions in foreign exchange by selling blue carbon credits through the Maldives' seagrass resources.

Following deteriorating weather conditions in the Maldives with a White Alert issued from HA. Atoll to Dh. Atoll forecasting winds up to 40 miles per hour and rough seas, MNDF urged sea travelers, divers, and water sports operators to be vigilant on 25 September 2026. Relevant authorities have released the latest information regarding the capacity of a waste incineration plant under the waste management project. Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister of Nepal Balendra Shah called for grants instead of loans and the establishment of climate justice, highlighting the escalating damages from climate disasters faced by mountainous and small island nations that emit less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gases. Furthermore, speaking on behalf of AOSIS, President of Palau Surangel Whipps Jr. noted that rising sea levels threaten national sovereignty and welcomed the UN declaration to preserve maritime zones and statehood.

At a press conference held by the police on September 24, 2026, it was revealed that the major fire incident at the complex housing the Housing Ministry was caused by an electrical short circuit between two cables and involved no criminal act. Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef stated that land reclamation and lagoon dredging projects will be suspended if the adverse environmental impacts of El Niño and coral bleaching reach a critical state. AA. Mathiveri became the only island to be ranked among the top five in all categories contested in the 'Chaalu Dhivehiraajje' Award. Minister Ali Shareef stated that with solar hybrid projects, the renewable energy generation capacity in the Maldives has been increased from 53 megawatts to 126 megawatts. The ministry also disclosed that more than 2.3 million trees have been planted so far this year under the Five Million Trees planting program in accordance with the President's pledge.

On the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 22 September 2026 and discussed climate resilience and debt sustainability. Relevant authorities have compiled a special report regarding the illegal felling of two palm groves. Authorities have released the latest updates on the "Beautiful Maldives" event underway in AA. Ukulhas. In an effort to protect the environment of Th. Guraidhoo, the island council has now begun preparing for practical work to conserve the island's wetland.

Speaking as the guest of honour at the "Technical Training Programme on Fisheries and Blue Economy" workshop, which commenced on 21 September 2026 in collaboration between the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources and China's Hainan University, Minister Ahmed Shiyam highlighted the importance of sustainably managing the Maldives' marine life and natural resources to pass them on to future generations. The two-day workshop, running until 22 September with 51 participants including state institutions, research centres, and schools, is an event organized to provide technical training in sustainable fisheries, coral propagation, and marine conservation.

Due to difficulties encountered in the use of paper straws, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided, via Decree No. 15/2026, to postpone the ban on importing single-use plastic straws into the Maldives until 1 June 2031. HDC has decided to remove oleander plants located in various areas of Hulhumale'.

Taking into account the quality of paper straws and the resulting health and usability difficulties, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided through Presidential Decree No. 15/2026 issued on 19 September 2026 to postpone the ban on the import of single-use plastic straws to 1 June 2031, and the ban on manufacturing and selling them in the Maldives to 19 December 2031. Under this decree, the ban on the import and manufacturing of water packaged in plastic bottles between 500 milliliters and 1 liter was also postponed until 1 December 2029.

Although treatment for rescued sea turtles continues at the turtle rehabilitation centre run by the Atoll Marine Centre in Lh. Naifaru, the services of its marine floating cage have been temporarily suspended due to the island's land reclamation project. Former Minister Mohamed Aslam spoke about the importance of proactive and meticulous planning to protect against the dangers of climate change. Ahead of the school reopening weekend on September 20, the National Meteorological Service issued a white alert for the entire Maldives, advising sea travelers to be cautious as winds were expected to gust between 35 and 40 miles per hour, accompanied by rough seas.

Incidents of heavy rain and flooding have occurred in R. Innamadhoo and Inguraidhoo. On September 16, 2026, after the straps snapped and the supply vessel "Sealine 3"—carrying timber and 4 crew members while traveling from Malé to a resort in R. Atoll—began taking on water in the Kaashidhoo Channel, police officers arriving on a launch from the B. Eydhafushi Police Station rescued the vessel by pumping out water and unloading cargo. A depression has formed in the Andaman Sea, and the weather is forecasted to deteriorate further in the coming days.

On September 15, 2026, the crew of the boat "Khaleefa" from K. Gulhi began laboratory testing to verify whether a 10-kilogram white ambergris found approximately 30 miles off AA. Thoddoo is genuine.

Due to the strengthening of the southwest monsoon and deteriorating weather conditions, the Maldives Meteorological Service has issued a Yellow Alert forecasting winds gusting up to 45 mph from Kaafu Atoll to Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, alongside a White Alert for the entire Maldives. With heavy rain and bad weather affecting the southern regions, an Orange Alert was issued for Addu City and Fuvahmulah, where flooding damaged more than 70 houses in Feydhoo, Addu City. Furthermore, strong winds and heavy rainfall caused extensive damage to agricultural fields in Thaa Kandoodhoo. Tidal surges in the Malé area brought sand and rocks onto the Rasfannu area and caused saltwater damage to vehicles parked in the Industrial Village. With rough seas and wave heights estimated to rise between 4 to 7 feet, MNDF has urged people not to travel by sea during Yellow or Orange Alerts and to take necessary safety precautions.

Amidst an ongoing rainy spell across the Maldives with a Yellow Alert issued from Kaafu Atoll to Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, heavy rainfall on September 12, 2026, caused flooding in the streets of Malé and damage to residences, prompting the MNDF to conduct an emergency dewatering operation. Due to the severe weather affecting multiple atolls, with wind gusts reaching 40 to 45 miles per hour and rough seas, significant obstacles were faced in travel coinciding with the school holidays. As southern islands were impacted by rain, resulting in flooding in Addu City and Fuvahmulah, MNDF and local councils stacked sandbags and carried out water pumping operations, while NDMA provided temporary shelter to a family of eight after a house in Feydhoo was damaged beyond habitability. Furthermore, the vessel named 'Uranus 1', which sustained extensive damage with nearly 30 feet of its bottom plating detached, has been drifting near Malé for over two months, with relevant authorities closely monitoring the vessel without granting permission to enter a Maldivian port.

While the National Meteorological Service issued a White Alert for a large area of the Maldives and an Orange Alert for Fuvahmulah and Addu City, heavy rainfall on September 11, 2026, caused flood damage to more than 30 houses in Feydhoo, Addu City, prompting the NDMA to arrange temporary shelter for a family of 8 residing in a house damaged beyond habitability. Meanwhile, with 9 crew members rescued from the two foreign vessels, "KG 1" and "AL 1," which dragged anchor during the storm while under the custody of Maldives Customs and struck a pillar of the Sinamale Bridge, the two vessels drifted and sank approximately 30 nautical miles east of Male Atoll, with authorities confirming that no major damage was caused to the bridge.

Due to the intensification of the southwest monsoon causing bad weather in the Maldives, the National Meteorological Service issued white and yellow alerts forecasting heavy rain and winds between 35 and 40 miles per hour. As a result of the bad weather and rough seas, an oil tanker named "KG 1" and a tugboat named "AL 1" under Customs custody broke their moorings and collided with a pillar of the Sinamalé Bridge on the night of 10 September 2026; however, the bridge structure sustained no damage and escaped with only minor superficial scratches. While the nine crew members aboard the two vessels at the time of the incident were rescued by the MNDF Coast Guard, the two drifting vessels sank approximately 30 nautical miles outside the territorial waters of the Maldives. Due to the rough seas and stormy weather, MNDF urged people not to travel by sea in areas under yellow and orange alerts, and to ensure that vessels traveling are fully equipped with safety measures such as life jackets and water pumps.

Due to the strengthening of El Niño, temperatures in the Maldives have risen unusually high with Male's temperature reaching 33 degrees Celsius, prompting the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to issue a public health alert on 9 September 2026 to prevent risks such as heatstroke. The National Meteorological Service predicts that there is a greater than 80 percent chance that temperatures in the Maldives will remain above normal levels from September to November this year. Relevant authorities urge people to drink plenty of water during this hot period, minimize outdoor activities during the hottest times of the day, and seek immediate medical treatment if a health risk arises due to the heat.

To address the issue of the growing stray cat population on the streets of Male' and its adverse impact on public health and street cleanliness, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu officially inaugurated the "Olyhiyaa" pet care facility, established on a 5,000 square foot plot in Farukolhufushi, Hulhumale' Phase 2, on November 2, 2024. Developed to accommodate 1,000 cats and featuring a clinic, quarantine area, laboratory, and pharmacy, full operation and cat care management of the facility was officially handed over by the Male' City Council to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in February 2025. Through this facility, cats rescued from the streets of the Greater Male' area are currently provided with shelter, veterinary treatment, and neutering services.

As a strengthening El Niño is expected to cause temperature rises and shifts in rainfall patterns, with the peak impact forecasted for November 2026, the Maldives Meteorological Service (Met) has urged the fisheries, agriculture, and tourism sectors, as well as the general public, to take precautionary measures in advance. To raise awareness about marine life among children and youth, SEED Initiative, in partnership with Dhiraagu, carried out practical activities to protect seagrass and mangrove ecosystems in Hulhumalé, K. Kaashidhoo, and B. Goidhoo under the 'Eco Guardian' program.

To assist President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's five million trees planting program, the Government of Kerala, India, donated 1,200 plants, which were officially handed over by Kerala's Forest Minister Shibu Baby John to Maldivian Consul General Aminath Shifana in Thiruvananthapuram. In addition, under the program, the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy signed agreements to provide five hundred thousand Rufiyaa in aid to each of 20 island councils in order to establish nurseries required for tree planting in the islands.

Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam stated at a press conference held at the President's Office on September 1, 2026, that the government is evaluating proposals related to developing a dedicated "Cat Island" to relocate stray cats to a safe environment and provide them with care, including a proposal submitted by an international party.

The "Green Nursery" project was launched in Hulhumalé today, alongside the commencement of physical work on solar-diesel hybrid systems across various islands. These initiatives aim to protect the environment, increase renewable energy usage, and reduce expenditure on fuel.

A white alert has been issued for the south of Maldives today due to heavy rain and strong winds. The severe weather has caused significant damage in Addu City, including roofs blowing off houses. Additionally, concerns were raised today regarding the environmental impact of large-scale land reclamation projects currently underway in Kaafu Atoll.

Haze is affecting visibility across parts of the Maldives, while a white alert has been issued for heavy rain in Fuvahmulah and Addu City. Additionally, concerns have surfaced regarding the leasing of a Hulhumale’ nursery plot to a foreign company, alongside allegations of environmental issues and financial irregularities surrounding the Ras Malé project.

On December 29, 2025, STELCO conducted significant work to expand its services and strengthen utility infrastructure. These development projects aim to enhance service quality and ensure the sustainable delivery of essential basic services to the public.

Land reclamation for Hulhumalé Phase 3 is progressing rapidly, with the Rasmalé project targeted for completion by April 2026. Efforts are underway to acquire electric vehicles for the five-million tree planting program and to implement eco-friendly pest control methods. Meanwhile, weather alerts have been issued across various regions of the Maldives due to deteriorating conditions.

The Maldives Meteorological Service has issued a white alert for southern atolls due to expected bad weather. Forecasters predict heavy rain and thunderstorms, prompting authorities to advise seafarers and the public to exercise caution.

Manta Air has been fined MVR 20,000 for constructing an illegal seaplane platform in Ifuru. Meanwhile, a protest was held near a dredger today over the environmental impact of the Rasmalé reclamation project. The MET Office has issued a white alert for heavy rain in southern atolls, and work is underway to establish solar-diesel-battery hybrid energy systems across various islands.

Construction is progressing rapidly with 30% of the Ras Malé project and Naifaru land reclamation complete, while work on installing hybrid energy systems across various islands began today. Additionally, weather warnings have been issued as heavy rain is forecasted across the Maldives.