The bad weather over Malta continued on Sunday halting ferry operations with gale-force winds forecast.

The Meteorological Office issued an orange warning that the northeast wind will be very strong over the Maltese islands, reaching gale force over exposed areas. 

It also warned that moderate to heavy rain or hail showers were also expected.

The office also issued a strong gregale warning to mariners for Valletta and Marsamxett harbours adding that at sea areas 50 nautical miles radius of Malta, the northeast wind will reach gale force and will at times reach severe gale.

The sea will be very rough to high during the day becoming very rough overnight.

The warnings were issued as an air of depression over the Maltese islands moved towards the gulf of Sirte.

The northeast force 8 wind, locally force 8 to 9 wind is overnight expected to go down to force 6, the Met Office said. The warning is up until 10pm. 

Meanwhile, Gozo remains isolated as both fast and normal ferry trips are cancelled.

Along the Sliema promenade, civil protection officers were in the afternoon seen hacking off a tree which had fallen onto a passenger car.

An officer said they had been attending to similar calls all day.

Virtu Ferries said on Facebook its trips to Gozo remain cancelled until Monday.

Gozo Channel also warned that due to the bad weather forecast, its ferry operations may be delayed or cancelled.

Meanwhile, the Facebook group Maltese Roads Traffic Updates posted a photo of the current situation in Mġarr, Gozo, heading to the ferry terminal while readers called to report a break in the service.

At Mġarr Gozo. Photo: Maltese Roads Traffic Updates, Facebook

Later in the day, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri apologised to Gozitan workers stuck in Malta and asked them to stay at nearby hotels and retain the room receipt so that they would be refunded their costs.

Virtu Ferries also introduced additional Pozzallo trips on Monday, after having cancelled its trips on Sunday.

The winds also led to the closure of a road leading from Sliema to St Julian’s after the strong winds pulled down scaffolding.

Photo: Expats Malta, Facebook

And according to this Facebook post, the Sirens Waterpolo pitch ended up in this state.

Noticed anything worth reporting. Write to us on newsroom@timesofmalta.com.