The Tsunami Monument Park (Tsunami Binaa Maizaan) which had fallen into severe disrepair has been renovated.
The Tsunami monument, which was earlier in Henveiru, was relocated to 'Thin Ruh Park' in Maafannu during the development of the Sinamale' Bridge. The site had fallen into severe disrepair since.
Once brightly lit, the site had remained in darkness for years due to broken lights. Paving bricks had loosened and the sand under them been swept into the sea. Even the park's signboard had been corroded and broken.
The government contracted MTCC to conduct repair and renovation of the park. Work commenced in February, and renovation work is now nearing completion.
MTCC said that all physical work on repairs was completed by April 2.
The ground was levelled and paved, and fences were put up by the seawall.
The redeveloped park has ample seating for visitors, and has new lights affixed providing a well-lit pleasant atmosphere suited for visits even in the evenings.
The rusty metal fixings were also repaired, giving the park a brand-new, polished look.
The Tsunami monument commemorates lives lost and unaccounted for in the December 26, 2024 tsunami.
The site was established when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was serving as Housing Minister during former President Abdulla Yameen's administration. President Muizzu has also earlier criticized the Male' City Council for failing to properly maintain such sites, adding that the government will take on the work.
Questioned about the state of disrepair at the site a year ago, Male' City Council responded that they did not have funds in their budget to renovate the place. They said then that the efforts can be taken on only through cooperation and assistance from the government, asserting that the work would begin immediately should the support be extended.
An earlier report regarding the Tsunami monument site prepared by the council stated that due to erosion, the area has to be filled with sand and levelled three to four times a year. They recommended laying new sheet pile as a permanent solution to the issue.
They further stressed the importance of raising the western side sheet pile by two feet as the area sees heavy damage from swell waves during the Southwest monsoon.
