Kolhufushi (Meemu Atoll)

Summary

Kolhufushi (Dhivehi: ކޮޅުފުށި) is one of the inhabited islands of Meemu Atoll.

Kolhufushi
Kolhufushi is located in Maldives
Kolhufushi
Kolhufushi
Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 02°46′48″N 73°25′30″E / 2.78000°N 73.42500°E / 2.78000; 73.42500
CountryMaldives
Administrative atollMeemu Atoll
Distance to Malé154.57 km (96.05 mi)
Dimensions
 • Length2.475 km (1.538 mi)
 • Width0.450 km (0.280 mi)
Population
 (2014)[1]
 • Total735 (including foreigners)
Time zoneUTC+05:00 (MST)
Kolhufushi Lighthouse Edit this at Wikidata
Constructionconcrete (foundation), metal (tower) Edit this on Wikidata
Height12 m (39 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Shapesquare pyramidal skeletal tower[2][3]
Markingsgray (tower) Edit this on Wikidata, rectangle (black, daymark) Edit this on Wikidata
Power sourcesolar power Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height15 m (49 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Range10 nmi (19 km; 12 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicFl(2) W 10s Edit this on Wikidata

History edit

2004 tsunami and aftermath edit

The island was greatly affected by the 2004 tsunami, although coral reefs took some of the impact. The island's chief, Mr. Sigee, described the water as reaching his chin. Two weeks after the disaster, the island's population was found to have lost at least sixteen people, and the island's mango and banana trees had been poisoned by the saltwater. Some homes and a century-old mosque had also been destroyed. Most of the other houses were unsuitable for habitation, leaving only a handful of functional homes.[4]

By mid-January 2005, 8% of the 13,000-strong displaced Maldivian population was housed in temporary shelters on Kolhufushi. The construction of 55 replacement houses was started in October 2008,[5] and a further 168 houses were started in 2010.[6]

Tsunami drills were introduced on the island in 2018. A tsunami warning in 2016 had uncovered a lack of preparedness, for dealing with safe evacuation.[7]

Geography edit

The island is 154.57 km (96 mi; 83 nmi) south of the country's capital, Malé.[8] The land area of the island is 61.1 ha (151 acres) in 2018.[9] The island was described as having an area of 75.6 ha (187 acres) in 2007.[10]

Demography edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
2006 811—    
2014 702−13.4%
2006-2014: Census populations
Source: [11]

Utilities edit

Electrification on Kolhufushi was undertaken by MTCC in 2013.[12] A submarine cable network was laid to the island, by Ooredoo Maldives, in 2017.[13]

Health care edit

Kolhufushi has a pharmacy.[14]

Sport edit

The island has a football team. The team won every one of their group games at the 2017 Haf Islanders Cup,[15] but lost to Male' in the semi-final.[16]

Transport edit

The construction of Kolhufushi's harbour was contracted in January 2016, and was completed the following year. The harbour was inaugurated in 2018.[17]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014" (PDF). Population and Households Census 2014. National Bureau of Statistics. p. 35. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  2. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Maldives". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
  3. ^ NGA List of Lights – Pub.112 Retrieved 9 October 2016
  4. ^ Fisher, Ian (4 January 2005). "For 5 Minutes, Just Water and Few Signs of an Island". New York Times. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Maldives - 4 Years after the tsunami" (PDF). World Health Organization. Ministry of Finance and Treasury. July 2009. pp. 11, 14. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Tsunami Housing Project at M. Kolhufushi island commences". Ministry of Environment and Energy. 26 July 2010. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Devastated by the 2004 Tsunami, the Island in the Maldives Welcomes a Tsunami Drill". Reliefweb. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Table 1.5 : Population, land area, population density and distance to Male' and atoll capitals, by locality" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Kolhufushi". Ministry of Atolls Development. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
  11. ^ "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Milestones". MTCC. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  13. ^ Shaahunaz, Fathmath (5 January 2017). "Ooredoo connects Maldives with submarine cable network". The Edition. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  14. ^ "Panel of Medical Centers" (PDF). Allied Insurance Company. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Thimarafushi, Kolhufushi, Kudahuvadhoo, Gulhi, Hithaadhoo, Male' & Inguraidhoo booked their place in Quarter-Finals of HAF Islanders Cup 2017". Maldive Soccer. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Hithaadhoo will face Male' in Final". Maldive Soccer. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  17. ^ "President inaugurates M. Kolhufushi Harbor". Sun.mv. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.