The island of Kandholhudhoo (foreground) that was completely destroyed by the tsunami of 2004. Residents took temporary residence in other nearby islands including Bandaveri island (background)
The island was destroyed during the tsunami of 2004, and the inhabitants of the island were relocated to R.Dhuvaafaru. In 2014, the island was repopulated by a family of fishermen.
Kandholhudhoo was badly affected by the tsunami of 2004, which resulted in it being abandoned shortly after by its 3600 inhabitants. Eventually, the people of Kandholhudhoo were resettled to the island of Dhuvafaafaru, referred to as a ‘safer island’, on the opposite side of the atoll, where they still reside today.
It was an extraordinary and slightly unnerving experience to walk amongst the ruins of Kandholhudhoo, where people used to go about their day-to-day lives. It was also remarkable to visit Dhuvafaafaru to hear people’s experiences of the tsunami, resettlement and everyday life on their new island.
Dhuvaafaru (Dhivehi: ދުވާފަރު) is an inhabited island of Maldives located in the eastern edge of Raa Atoll. Resettlement of the island started on 14 December 2008 to inhabit the displaced residents of Kandholhudhoo (Raa Atoll) who were the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
The challenging task of resettling the tsunami victims and establishing a new island community on Dhuvaafaru was undertaken by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies under an agreement made with the Government of Maldives in May 2005.[2] Though Dhuvaafaru was uninhabited until recent history, there is physical and literary proof of the island being inhabited over 200 years ago. The famous wartime hero Dhandahelu - depicted in story of Maldives independence war against Portuguese invasion in 17th Century - is named after this island and is referred to in the historical literature as Dhuvaafaru Dhandahelu (meaning Dhandahelu from Dhuvaafaru).
In the local Maldivian Dhivehi language, the island name of Dhuvaafaru is literally translated as "running reef". It is suggested that this name may have been derived from the ever-shifting shape of the island's beach in different monsoons.[3] Even today the shape of the beach and shoreline keeps changing consistently, especially during the rainy season.
There is historical evidence that Dhuvaafaru was populated around 15th Century and it may have been populated as late as 200 years ago. A famous associate of the Maldivian national hero Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam hails from Dhuvaafaru. This associate is popularly known as Dhuvaafaru Dhandahelu. According to Maldivian historical sources, Dhuvaafaru Dhandahelu was a young boy from the island of Dhuvaafaru who fought with Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam to free Maldives from the occupation of Portuguese. In traditional stories Dhuvaafaru Dhandahelu is portrayed as a vigilant and valiant person.
Even today there are signs of previous in-habitation of the island. In August 2005 an ancient area was discovered while trees were being cleared to make way for roads. This site sits on the south east side of Raa Atoll School. The cemetery, well and coral stone structure found from this location were officially protected as a place of historical significance. But little to none has been done to protect the area which is again concealed by wilderness.
There was an old well which could be over 100 or more years, right next to the current football ground. The top of this well was renovated by the islanders of with cement but the bottom of the well was built using limestone; the ancient building material. However, the top of this well is now destroyed after a motor accident.
It is believed that the previous residents of Dhuvaafaru, left the island due to soil erosion and its less proximity to fishing grounds. Some folktales claim that Dhuvaafaru was abandoned because the island was haunted. Elders of Kandholhudhoo claim that their ancestors were from Dhuvaafaru and other such islands across the atoll. They migrated to Kandholhudhoo because it was closer to the wider sea where fish is abundant
Even before the tsunami annihilated living conditions in the island were deplorable due to extreme congestion and matters grew worse due to an explosive rise in population. The largest population of was cramped in the smallest inhabited island of the atoll.
To address the issues government decided to start a land reclamation project of Kandholhudhoo lagoon.The lagoon was so small in size; the whole project was doomed from the start as it was impossible to provide any remedy for lack of land. This was a political move to appease a large population center rather than a coherent step to address the real issues.The reclamation of the lagoon destroyed the house reef which protected the island. The houses of the island were less than 20 feet away from the open sea. Thus, the island became a basin in the middle of the ocean and water poure
6 сен 2024
