Maldives Reefs at Risk as Coral Bleaching Warnings Intensify

As the Iruvai monsoon ushers in the hottest season in the Maldives, concerns are growing over the risk of coral bleaching. Coral Reef Watch has issued a "watch" level alert for the waters around the Maldives, indicating heat stress that could lead to bleaching. Currently, the southern atolls are under this alert, and predictions suggest that the reefs may reach an alert level 1 within 9 to 12 weeks.

Last year saw widespread coral bleaching across the Maldives, with the sunny season from January to June being the hottest period, particularly peaking in April. Coral bleaching occurs when corals lose their color due to temperature changes, light variations, or nutrient imbalances, often triggered by ocean warming caused by climate change.

The Maldives has faced repeated coral bleaching events since the first major incident in 1998. The most severe was in 2016, when a study by the Maldives Marine Research Institute reported that 73 percent of the nation’s corals were affected. With rising sea temperatures, the situation remains a growing concern for the health of these vital ecosystems.