Malaysia: New moon phenomenon triggers extraordinary floods in east coast

The Star 23 Dec 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: The new moon phenomenon, when the moon is closest to the earth and causes high tide, is among the factors that triggered extraordinary flooding in the east coast this year.

Meteorological Department National Weather Centre senior meteorological officer Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the flood situations worsened with the presence of northeast monsoon winds blowing consistently across the South China Sea to Malaysia starting November until March.

"Although rainfall is no longer heavy, flood waters do not seem to recede due to the new moon phenomenon as it causes higher tides than normal.

"Besides that, previously incessant rainfall caused water from the upstream to not reach the confluence and resulted in overflowing rivers," he said when contacted by Bernama Tuesday.

He said they predict the heavy rainfall since last week due to northeast monsoon winds in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang will continue until early January.

"However, the weather is expected to be more favourable today until tomorrow with many of our forecasts showing showers in only one or two areas in the affected states," he said.

Dr Mohd Hisham explained that the northeast monsoon wind brought about heavy rainfall in three episodes, namely the first episode which ended in November, the second episode between Dec 16 and 19 followed by the third episode which started on Monday and will last until tomorrow.

"Although the weather is expected to be good on these two days, we predict a fourth episode to start from Dec 28 to 30 and it may continue until early January," he said.

Dr Mohd Hisham said they do not dismiss the possibility that floods may hit low-lying areas near the river after Dec 28. "During the northeast monsoon season, the east coast is expected to experience four to five episodes of heavy rainfall for between three to seven days in November until January 2015, as well as western Sarawak and Sabah from January until March 2015.

"Therefore, people living by the river and in low-lying areas are advised to prepare for any possibility, including floods," he said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department said in a statement today that strong northeast winds with speeds of 60 kilometres per hour in the coastal areas of the east coast, Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan is expected to last until tomorrow.

In addition, rough seas and waves of up to 5.5 metres will pose a danger to beach and shipping activities, including to workers on oil platforms.

The statement added that the coastal areas of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and east Johor are vulnerable to a rise in sea levels until Wednesday. - Bernama

East coast train services remain inoperative due to floods
The Star 23 Dec 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: All east coast train services, disrupted Monday due to floods and a landslide on the tracks between Dabong and Kuala Krai in Kelantan, remain inoperative, according to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).

KTMB corporate communications manager Siti Badariah Wan Hanafi said on Tuesday that the services were expected to remain inoperative until at least Friday.

She said the affected services were those between Woodlands and Tumpat and vice versa; KL Sentral to Tumpat and vice versa and the shuttle services between Gua Musang and Tumpat.

Passengers booked on these services could request a return of the full fare for the cancelled services or change their date of travel, she said when contacted by Bernama.

"We will keep the public updated on the status of the services," she said. – Bernama

4m-high waves to hit 3 states
New Straits Times 24 Dec 14;

THOSE on the east coast have been warned to brace themselves for the worst floods in recent history.

A powerful combination of king tides and strong winds are expected to slam into Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, which are still dealing with slowly receding floodwaters.

Communities in coastal areas and along river mouths have been warned to ready themselves for immediate grab-and-go evacuations, as the worst is expected to unfold tonight or tomorrow.

The high-alert notification follows not only the sustained rain in recent days, but is also in anticipation of tidal waves as high as 4.35m hitting the states.

This is expected to happen for two nights from yesterday.

Many in coastal areas in Terengganu last night caught a glimpse of the power that comes with waves that high.

About 10pm, a little under two hours after 2.9m waves hit, residential areas were inundated by floodwaters that rose rapidly to about 30cm high.

The last time floods of this magnitude occurred was some 20 years ago.

Other states hit by the floods include Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan and Perak.

The Meteorological Department has been less hopeful of a reprieve from the situation, saying the heavy rainfall would likely subside only in the middle of next month.

National Weather Centre senior meteorologist Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said in the past few days, these states experienced double the rainfall compared with last year.

Some 600mm of rain fell over Kelantan and Terengganu last year, compared with the 1,200mm for the same period this year. Kuantan recorded 1,000mm of rainfall, compared with 500mm last year.

The department said the unusually high tides and floods were caused by a combination of three elements: the new moon, surges of strong winds and the perigee, or the point when the moon is closest to the Earth and its gravitational force is at its strongest.

“With the moon close to Earth and the stronger gravitational pull, the consequential stronger pull on water causes high tides.

“The new moon and perigee normally occur separately, but now, they are occurring almost simultaneously,” he told the New Straits Times, adding that strong winds of 60kph over the South China Sea were exacerbating the situation.

Hisham said the three states should prepare for more torrential rains from Sunday.

Record number of evacuees in east coast states
New Straits Times 24 Dec 14;

THE east coast is seeing a record number of evacuees as vast swathes of the area are submerged by floods.

Portending that the worst is yet to come, the number of flood victims at the tens of relief shelters in the various districts is fast climbing.

Major rivers in Kelantan and Pahang have, since yesterday, swollen beyond the danger level, while tidal waves have been lashing coastal villages in Terengganu.

Strong currents in flooded areas are also threatening to take victims along with them.

In Gua Musang, a rescue boat manned by two soldiers with nine evacuees aboard, capsized, and the occupants swept away by the currents. Those aboard, including toddlers, were saved by a passing boat.

Many houses in the district were also swept away.

As of 6.30pm, there were 21,601 victims at 96 relief shelters in nine districts in the state, with most of the evacuees brought from Pasir Mas.

Meanwhile, the number of evacuees in Terengganu has doubled in less than 24 hours, with their number expected to rise from yesterday’s total of 15,046.

Increasingly strong tidal waves slammed into the Terengganu coast, triggering panic.

For residents of Pulau Duyong, it was a recurring nightmare, as the last time they experienced flooding of this magnitude was just before the Sultan Mahmud Hydroelectric Dam in Jenagor, which created Tasik Kenyir, started operations in 1986.

The unusually high waves did not spare the island and nearby areas, including Seberang Takir, Batu Buruk and Kuala Ibai.

In Rusila, Marang, a chalet owner was praying that her property had not been washed out to sea after 3.6m-waves hit the area about 9pm on Tuesday.

Jamilah Abdullah 50, the owner of another chalet, said the shore fronting her 25-room chalet had eroded, from the length of a football field to mere metres.

“There are three 6m-high walls protecting the property, but they were no match for the pounding waves on Monday evening.”

Villagers in the area on Tuesday rushed to build a wooden wall to to protect their properties from the second wave of king tides.

In Kuala Dungun, passengers waiting at an express bus station had to be evacuated to higher ground when waves brought seawater into the area about 10pm.

In Kemaman, two families narrowly escaped death.

Jais Ismail, 73, said his family had evacuated their home mere minutes before a huge wave crashed into and destroyed their house.

“I decided to evacuate when seawater started seeping into the house. We are left with only the clothes on our backs,” he said.

The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry yesterday said the supply of food and essential items in flood-hit states would be sufficient.

Its deputy secretary-general, Datuk Azmi Lateh, said the ministry had made early preparations and was monitoring the situation in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

He said there had been no reports of food shortages in the states, but the ministry, with the cooperation of the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, would send supplies if one was reported.

“We have drawn up strategies to address food shortages during the flood season, but that has not been the case,” he said in Penang.

Meanwhile, efforts are being mobilised to deliver aid to areas cut off by the floods.

The Kelantan Social Welfare Department, with the help of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, is using helicopters to reach victims in Gua Musang and Jeli, as the roads are inaccesible.

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said the state government would use funds from the “Tabung Serambi Mekah” to channel aid to the victims.

“The magnitude of this year’s floods was beyond the state Welfare Department’s expectations.

“But we will find ways to meet the needs of those affected,” he said in Pengkalan Chepa yesterday.

Floods leave more than 100 tourists standed in Taman Negara
The Star 24 Dec 14;

KUANTAN: More than 100 local and foreign tourists are believed to be stranded at the Mutiara Taman Negara Resort after Sungai Tembeling in Kuala Tahan surpassed its danger level.

It was learnt that the park recorded its highest rainfall Tuesday since the major flood in 1971.

The Kuala Tahan tourist jetty had to be closed due to swift currents in the river, which is dangerous to boats.

A resort employee, who declined to be identified, said the foreign tourists holed up in the hotel were from Canada, Germany, France and Holland while there were also some local tourists.

"They should have left today (Tuesday) but the dangerous river has cut off the place from the outside world and we are running low on food. Nonetheless, we ensure the safety and well-being of tourists and if necessary, we will use a helicopter to drop food for us tomorrow," he said when contacted late Tuesday.

According to him, a special meeting with police and Jerantut district office was held to discuss measures to get all tourists out safely. – Bernama