Fuvahmulah Has Been Burning For a Month, Where are the Authorities?

Photo: Twitter via @Gowppilow
A disconcerting incident has unfolded in Fuvahmulah City, as locals report that a landfill site has been engulfed in flames for nearly a month, with no apparent resolution in sight.
“The fire started on the second day of Eid,” a resident told MV+.
The continuous burning of landfill has raised questions about waste management practices and the efficacy of the authorities’ response.
Despite concerted efforts by the authorities to control the blaze, the fire continues to burn unabated, posing a significant challenge to the community and local environment. Situated in close proximity to guest houses, the ongoing fire has caused considerable disruptions to the hospitality sector, with tourism operators expressing concern over potential long-term effects on their businesses.
Residential areas, particularly in Funaadu, have also felt the repercussions of the relentless inferno, as thick smoke blankets the region, contributing to air pollution concerns and the well-being of residents.
The environmental impact is further compounded by Fuvahmulah’s status as a biosphere reserve, with the fire causing severe pollution and jeopardising the island’s fragile ecosystem.
Movements such as #SaveMaldives have pointed fingers at poor waste mismanagement as the root cause of the crisis, condemning the practice of open burning in a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve.
The absence of an effective waste disposal system has raised questions about the local council’s responsibility to transport waste to proper facilities, such as Thilafushi, which may have contributed to the accumulation of waste at the landfill site.
While the precise ignition source remains under investigation, some experts believe that a combination of factors could have triggered the blaze, including the buildup of flammable gases produced by the decomposing waste and the persistently hot weather conditions in the region.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who now demand greater accountability from the authorities regarding waste management practices and the protection of their environment.
Calls for immediate action to extinguish the flames and prevent future incidents are intensifying as the situation raises concerns over public health and the preservation of Fuvahmulah’s natural heritage.
MV+ reached out to the Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Technology for a comment but is yet to receive a response.
As the fire enters its second month with no signs of abating, residents and environmental advocates alike are anxiously awaiting a comprehensive response plan from the authorities.
The urgency of the situation is palpable, and the eyes of the nation are on Fuvahmulah, watching how the authorities address this environmental catastrophe.
Update: Jul 19, 2023, 15:00
A word from the council
. Root cause not found yet
. MNDF now working on it
. No solid waste management policy put in place yet
. Fuvahmulah manages their own waste, does not send it to Thilafushi