This is the dramatic moment a seaplane was battered by strong winds while taking off from choppy seas during a storm.

The amphibious de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter departed from the terminal amid heavy rain in Male, the Maldives.

Footage captured by Dhak Bahadur Karki shows the aircraft, operated by Trans Maldivian Airways, speeding across turbulent waters under dark skies on July 10.

The plane, registered as 8Q-MBA, can be seen bouncing over the waves as it manoeuvres along the surface, its floats slapping against the rough sea while gusty winds and rain lash the area.

Moments later, the aircraft manages to gain enough lift and departs into the gloomy sky as its engines roar.

The Maldives was experiencing a spell of poor weather during the southwest monsoon, with the national meteorological service issuing warnings of strong winds, scattered thunderstorms, and rough sea conditions across the region.

Despite the challenging environment, the Twin Otter is designed for short take-offs and landings and is widely used for inter-island travel across the Maldives.

While seaplane operations generally continue in various weather conditions, flights are occasionally delayed or cancelled when safety is at risk.