Sea deposits at the harbour in Nellaidhoo island of the northern Haa Dhaal atoll has created a sand bank there. 

Mohamed Ilham, deputy president of the island’s local government council, said that the state-run Public Works company has attempted to re-dig the area, with little success. 

However, after the official supervising the re-digging work was brought to capital city Malé, it has been halted. 

Ilham says that while sand form the area can be cleared, there is likely to be no permanent solution.

The island’s harbour was built three years ago, and was built to accommodate large fishing vessels. Around 15 vessels dock at the harbour daily.