Gemendhoo (Dhaalu Atoll)

About

Gemendhoo (Dhivehi: ގެމެންދޫ) is a formerly inhabited island of Dhaalu Atoll. The island is located on the eastern fringe of the atoll and is surrounded by a long line of 11 uninhabited islands. The route through these islands from Bulhalafushi (to the north) which ends approximately 7 kilometers away at Naibukaloabodufushi can be walked in low tide. Gemendhoo was completely abandoned after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Most of the island's population moved to Kudahuvadhoo, the capital of the atoll. Prior to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, Gemendhoo had a population of roughly 500 people. The main economic activity of the island was fishing, however, export of locally made thatch for nearby resort hotels was also a common and profitable activity among locals. The Gemendhoo School taught in English up to grade 7, and for further studies, students went to the Kudahuvadhoo or boys school. Even though the island had a very small community, they were known among the atoll as being very actively involved in the development of the island. They have built a concrete-cement bridge between the uninhibited island called Thanbulhaedhoo, so as to ease the access to their football ground in the middle of island, and also to allow easy collection of coconuts (for food or making coconut oil) and palm leaves (used for thatch making) from the island. This bridge broke from the middle, when the t

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