New Straits Times 27 Dec 11;
TERENGGANU: The adage "time and tide wait for no man" took on a literal twist for construction workers building a sea wall at Kampung Tok Jembal, near here, as unusually high tide and strong waves are expected to last until Thursday.
The sound of earth-movers working until late at night at the beach could hardly be heard against the loud crashing of waves on the rock barrier that they were building.
The weather forecast on the Meteorological Department website showed that waves of between 5.5 to 7.5 metres high, accompanied by winds of between 60 to 70 kilometre per hour, would continue to lash the Terengganu coastal area until Thursday.
On Nov 29, the New Straits Times reported that erosion caused by strong waves at the beach had caused four gazebos and several casuarina trees to plunge into the sea.
Terengganu Drainage and Irrigation Department director Mat Hussin Ghani said the effect of strong waves and high winds was made worse by the unusually high tide which started last Friday.
"On Sunday, the high tide which occurred between 9pm to 11pm reached 2.9 metres and the phenomenon will probably continue until today," said Mat Hussin when contacted yesterday.
Mat Hussin said the high water level could cause serious damage even without the strong waves.
"When the high tide occurs together with waves of over three metres, they generate a phenomenal force that may well reach further ashore."
He said the state government had given instructions to expedite the construction of the 450m stretch of the two-metre-high embankment costing RM2.5 million in view of the severe weather.
"The construction company is working until late at night to complete the embankment. However, we also have to acknowledge that we cannot really fight the forces of nature. We can only minimise the damage."
Mat Hussin advised fishermen to haul their boats further inland to avoid them being carried away or damaged by the strong waves that are expected to hit the coast.
"Parents should also prevent their children from swimming in the sea to prevent any untoward incident."
