Meedhoo (Dhaalu Atoll)

Meedhoo
Island Summary
Belongs to	Dhaalu Atoll
Location	2°59′53″N 73°0′24″E / 2.99806°N 73.00667°E / 2.99806; 73.00667Coordinates: 2°59′53″N 73°0′24″E / 2.99806°N 73.00667°E / 2.99806; 73.00667 (at the tip of Dhaalu Atoll)
Population	1136
Length	450m
Width	275m
Distance from Malé	140.85km
Administrative Information
Island Chief	Siddeeq Ali

For other islands see Meedhoo

Meedhoo (Dhivehi: މީދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Dhaalu Atoll.

Meedhoo is an island in Dhaalu Atoll. It is the north most inhabited island in the Dhaalu Atoll The main economical work done in the island is fishing. However construction is developing rapidly as people have started to erect storied houses due to lack of land in the island. In addition some people have been working in nearby tourist resorts since tourism was introduced in the atoll in 1998.

The island has 2 mosques for men, (Majid Salam and Masjid Zikra) and 2 mosques for women. There is an island office and a court and a health centre. There is 1 school which teaches from grade 1-12 and a pre-school. The island has a natural harbour with comparatively easy access.

New School building erected under the aid of UNICEF: Officials from Meedhoo and UNICEF at the opening ceremony.

Meedhoo was severely hit by the 2004 tsunami. However the people have worked hard to come back to normal and the island is a fast developing island compared to the other islands in the Maldives. The main threat for the development of the island is its size. Being less than a square KM, the island is already over crowded and there is virtually no land at all for economic activities and building. As a result, the people have started to build houses with 2 or 3 floors. Soil erosion has been another threat for the islanders. However the government has taken some actions to prevent this problem and an area of about 50 feet has been reclaimed around the island in 2006.

There is no land line telephones in the island except in the island office and the school. However there is good reception of both Dhiraagu and Wataniya Telecom Maldives networks for mobile phones. There are two phone boxes in the island. TVM Television Maldives can be wieved in the island. There are 9 shops and 6 guest shops in the island. In addition two private parties supply gas and staple food items(rice, wheat flour and sugar in the Maldives) to the islanders. The power house is owned by the public and 24 hour electricity is provided.

Construction group at work.

Meedhoo land reclamation area.