HULHULE-MALE’ BRIDGE PROJECT

EIA for the proposed Hulhule-Male’ Bridge Project
The fluctuations in sea level caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami in the Hulhule region are
shown in Figure 4.53. The high levels of water are enough to inundate any unprotected coastline
of Maldives including Male’ Island. However, there are no records of major damages on Male’.
The lack of impact on Male’ has been associated with the submarine topography, tide level at the
time and the location of the earthquake epicentre (Ali, 2005).
Figure 4.53: Water level recordings from the tide gauge at Hulhulé’ indicating the wave height of tsunami 2004
(Source: University of Hawaii Sea Level Centre, http://ilikai.soest.hawaii.edu/uhslc/iot1d/male1.html).
The disaster risk profile of Maldives (UNDP, 2006) places Male’ as being located in a severe
tsunami risk zone with a probable maximum wave height between 3.2 and 4.5 m. Studies in
nearby Thulusdhoo Island notes that such a magnitude tsunami is likely to flood most of the
islands in high risk zones and cause extensive damage particularly along the ocean ward
shoreline (UNDP, 2009).
Prepared by: CDE Consulting & China Shipping Environment Technology
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