Kanditheemu Coastal Erosion Crisis Reaches Critical Levels

The Vice President of the Kanditheemu Island Council, Hassan Shaheem, has stated that the island is facing severe erosion following a harbor project initiated for political gain. He noted that the construction of a long sandbank across the island's reef has drastically altered ocean currents and disrupted the natural sediment transport system.

Expressing his concern in a statement, Shaheem noted that the island is now facing the bitter consequences of a harbor project launched for political gain ahead of the local council elections. He highlighted that the construction of a 180-meter sandbank across the island's reef has caused significant disruptions to ocean currents and the natural sediment flow of the island. He further detailed that these environmental changes have resulted in 15 meters of land being eroded along a 152-meter stretch on the northern side of Kanditheemu. He also noted that the erosion has advanced to within just 20 meters of residential homes.

Noting that all harbor construction work initiated ahead of the elections has come to a standstill, Shaheem highlighted that the greatest concern is the removal of the excavator brought in for the project, even as the island faces severe erosion. In the statement, he further noted that residents living near the eroded areas are being affected by saltwater intrusion. He expressed fears that the island's natural environment could face irreversible and catastrophic damage.

The coastal erosion crisis in Sh. Kanditheemu | Social Media

In the statement, Shaheem urged the government to resume the stalled harbor project in Kanditheemu and to expedite its completion. Shaheem also called on the relevant government authorities to intervene in the island's erosion crisis, demanding immediate action to protect the shoreline and the prioritization of a long-term coastal protection plan.