Thinadhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll has officially been declared a city.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the declaration under the powers vested in him by Section 51 (a) of the Decentralization Act of the Maldives.

As such, Thinadhoo will officially be deemed a city from 30 August 2023 onwards and the declaration has since been publicized in the government gazette.

The decision was reached due to the island’s substantial population as well as its pivotal role in providing a wide array of services to the residents of the atolls.

The government will be carrying out development initiatives in Thinadhoo under the incumbent administration's vision for the island's development.

According to the Maldives Constitution, islands with a population over 10,000 will be declared a city.

Further, should an island or region apply for city status and meets the requirements specified in the Decentralization Act, the president is authorized to grant city status for that island or area.

The president in his decree declared that Thinadhoo has met these requirements.

With the designation of Thinadhoo as a city, there are currently five cities across the archipelago nation.