CURRENTS Currents tend to be monsoonal in origin, setting westerly during the North East Monsoon (January-March) and easterly during the South West Monsoon (May- October). Currents are variable during the intervening months. Mean rates of 0.7 knots are encountered off the Indian coast but can be a little stronger around Sri Lanka. Through the East West channels of the Maldives, rates are of the order 3.5 to 5.0 knots. Consult Admiralty Sailing Directions for further details.