Damage caused to Lh. Kurendhoo in swell waves experienced on Friday will be over MVR 4 million, the island council has said.
Answering questions asked by AVAS regarding the damages sustained as a result of sea swells, Kurendhoo Council President Ibrahim Simau said the damage cost was high due to the island's turf ground being destroyed.
'The island's residents spend over MVR 3.5 million to build the turf ground and buy the necessary equipment for the grounds. Therefore, with heavy damage to the turf ground due to the swell waves, we estimate the value of total damage sustained to exceed MVR 4 million,' Simau said.
Simau said it is unlikely that the turf ground can be repaired in the near future if the island's residents were to bear the expenses. Therefore, the council would hold discussions with the government to find a way to bring the grounds to usable condition, said Simau.
The swell waves hit the island's southern side where the turf grounds are located. Simau said while the island already has land constraints, relocating the grounds to another area is not an option. The only solution to the issue is to begin the planned coastal protection project at the earliest, he added.
'This is not the first time sea swells have hit the island. However, I cannot remember such intense swells hitting the island in the past. We are working very closely with the government, especially the Disaster Management Center, and have given information on the damages sustained,' he added.
The sea swells caused floods up to 1 foot. Simau said although most households were flooded, only two households require assistance due to damage to household items. Maldives National Defense Force worked with island residents to recede flood waters.
