Efforts underway to solve flooding issues in Hulhumale' Cemetery

During heavy rains, the Hulhumale' Cemetery has been getting flooded, preventing burials during such times.

Male' City Council has decided to take action to solve this issue through spreading more sand up to a height of 1.5 feet in the burial grounds, and establishing a drain system.

Earlier this month, burials had to be stopped at the Hulhumale' Cemetery as even though the water aboveground dries up, the soil remained waterlogged to the point where digging and burying in the location became impossible.

Burials were temporarily transferred to the Aa Sahara Cemetery in Male' City, while the funeral players continued to be at the mosque located in Hulhumale' Cemetery.

During last Wednesday's city council meeting, Hulhumale' constituency Councilor Ibrahim Shujau appealed to the council to find a solution.

Spreading sand to a greater height was suggested by Mahchangolhi Central constituency Councilor Ahmed Zameer.

The council voted unanimously to include extra actions in the repairing of the cemetery. Currently approved actions include:

- work on completing two sets of toilets

- establishing a feeding room at the cemetery

- repair of the slabs of the rooms where the deceased are prepared for burial

- making the prayer room and viewing room wheelchair accessible

During the periods where flooding affects the cemetery in Hulhumale', internments are done in Aa Sahara Cemetery while funeral prayers have to be conducted in Hulhumale'. This has proved inconvenient to the public, prompting the city council to explore solutions.

Aa Sahara Cemetery is unable to accommodate funeral prayers at present as the mosque located there is under maintenance and repair.