Japan signed an agreement with Planning Ministry on Thursday to conduct a survey on upgrading the sea wall installed around Male' by the country decades ago.
According to the ministry, the purpose of the agreement signed with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is to conduct surveys on improving the sea wall and upgrading the water supply system in Male' City.
The project is being carried out with a grant assistance of JICA.
The sea wall in Male' was developed with the assistance of the Japanese government around 35 years ago, following a series of surge waves, to prevent similar disasters.
However, since then, major changes have been brought to the sea wall to carry out various projects in Male' City. As these changes were made without making prior assessments on how it would affect the island city, experts have previously expressed concern over the negative impact it may have on the environment. Such concerns were brought up when Rasfannu beach was being developed as well.