Environment
45 islands out of water amidst record heat
Some 45 islands have reported a water shortage amidst record breaking warm weather. The meteorology department said the Maldives is experiencing its hottest dry season in 18 years.
28 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
New artificial beach closed to swimmers after sewage pipe bursts
The recently opened ‘Rasfannu’ artificial beach in Malé’s west coast has been closed to swimmers after an underwater sewage pipe in the area burst open.
21 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
More than 20 islands already facing water shortages
More than 20 islands across the Maldives are already facing water shortages, according to the National Disaster Management Centre.
14 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Europe bank offers Maldives €45 million loan for sustainable energy project
The government has obtained a €45 million loan from the European Investment Bank to finance renewable energy projects and upgrade electricity networks in the atolls.
09 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
New artificial beach is a ‘health hazard,’ says youth group
The Dhi Youth Movement has warned that sewage outflow and medical waste from the nearby Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital disposed near the new west coast artificial beach pose serious dangers to swimmers. A snorkelling team from its cleanup project Damage Control had found an increase in sedimentation and dead corals as well as tubes and medical waste.
24 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM
Regulations introduced for connecting renewable energy to power grids
The new net metering regulation will allow residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity from solar power to feed electricity they do not use back into the grid. The solar panel owner will be credited for the electricity added to the grid and billed for “net” energy use.
30 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
Two northern islands hit by tidal swells
Ali Shaheem, vice president of the Komandoo island council, told The Maldives Independent that the swells have been continuing since 2:00am. One house was inundated by one and a half feet of water, he said, causing a power outage and forcing a family with three young children to temporarily move to another residence.
28 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
UNDP launches app to report illegal waste dumping
Users from the capital and its suburbs Hulhumalé and Vilimalé can download the ‘MakeMyIsland’ app for free, take a picture, and report littering and unattended waste in public spaces to the concerned authorities, which will attend to the problem and send a notification through email.
21 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
Reef frequented by whale sharks “destroyed” by resort’s excavation work
Excavation work carried out by LUX South Ari Atoll to clear a snorkelling channel on the island’s barrier reef has destroyed live corals, altered the current flow, and escalated the rate of erosion, divers say. It was approved by the tourism ministry after the resort’s proposal was twice rejected by the environment ministry.
07 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
Funding call as Addu struggles with flood recovery
Some MVR3million (US$194,550) is required to help more than 300 households in southern Addu City recover from flood damage, but only MVR200,00 (US$12,970) has been raised so far, the city council has said.
02 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
Addu City suffers worst floods in 40 years
Southern Addu City has suffered the worst storm damage in 40 years after 12 continuous hours of torrential rain left streets inundated and flooded some 200 households.
25 Nov 2015, 9:00 AM
Green climate fund grants Maldives US$23m for safe water
The UN’s climate fund has approved US$23.6 million for a project to ensure the delivery of safe freshwater to 105,000 people in the outer islands of the Maldives. The project is among the first eight investments approved by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a global initiative established to provide financing from wealthy nations for adaptation projects in developing countries.
09 Nov 2015, 9:00 AM
Chinese company to install solar panels in Hulhumalé
The agreement was signed under the Accelerating Sustainable Private Investments in Renewable Energy (ASPIRE) project developed in collaboration with the World Bank, the environment ministry said.
18 Oct 2015, 9:00 AM
Government promises end to seasonal water shortages
The government is aiming to solve annual water shortages during the dry season in islands across the Maldives within two years, State Minister for Environment Abdul Matheen Mohamed said at a ceremony held to hand over rainwater harvesting systems to the island councils of Rasgetheemu, Angolhitheemu, and Vaadhoo in Raa atoll.
15 Oct 2015, 9:00 AM
US$4.2m project launched for mangroves, coral reef protection
The environment ministry yesterday launched a US$4.2 million Climate Change Adaptation Project to establish eco-tourism facilities to manage protected mangroves and coral reefs in Fuvahmulah and Addu City and generate economic benefits for local communities.
06 Oct 2015, 9:00 AM
Tidal swells not as bad as predicted
Tidal swells caused minor flooding in five islands in southern Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaal atolls and Kolhufushi Island in Meemu atoll.
30 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Authorities on alert for tidal swells
The police and military are in a state of readiness to assist islands at risk of flooding. The authorities have advised laying sandbags to protect powerhouses, health centres, and garbage dumps, and to take foodstuffs, valuables, and electronic equipment at beachfront homes and offices further inshore.
27 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Tidal swells may cause flooding in the Maldives next week
A king tide, caused by the coinciding of a full moon and bad weather, may cause flooding across the Maldives on September 28, 29 and 30, the department of meteorology has said.
22 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Report warns of negative environmental impact of developing artificial beach in Malé
The development of an artificial beach in Malé’s western waterfront could cause long-term water pollution, reef slope failure, and damage the coastline, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the project has warned.
12 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Environmental offenders named and shamed on Facebook
Frustrated by the lack of government action on environmental misconducts, an environmentalist has set up a Facebook page to name and shame those who violate environmental laws and harm protected species.
07 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
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