How did the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami affect the Maldives?

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused significant devastation to the low-lying island nation of the Maldives. The disaster resulted in more than 100 casualties and caused immense economic damage across the country.12

The impact was widespread, with the tsunami causing severe flooding and destruction to infrastructure, including tourist resorts, farmland, and fishing grounds. In the capital city of Male, much of the area was flooded; however, the city's seawall was instrumental in limiting the extent of the damage. The event highlighted the vulnerability of the region to such natural disasters, prompting global efforts to improve tsunami warning systems and disaster preparedness.23