Malé swimming track closed for dredging

The swimming track in the capital’s southern waterfront has been closed for dredging to deepen the area to its original depth.

The Swimming Association announced the temporary closure and advised people not to use the track as the housing ministry began the excavation on Saturday afternoon. The reopening will be announced once the water is found to be clean enough, the association said.

The dredging follows complaints and concern about trash, sand encroachment and lack of depth.

The capital’s natural beaches were lost to reclamation and shore protection over the past decades. The track is the only area available for athletes as the water is too shallow in Malé’s two artificial beaches.