ALLISON LAI The Star 17 Oct 16;
KLANG: Ten houses at Kampung Sementa, Batu 5, in Jalan Kapar here were flooded after the rising tide broke a portion of the bund along Sungai Keramat.
Eight cars were also damaged after floodwaters flowed into the villagers’ homes yesterday morning in Jalan Kebun Baru next to the river.
Residents said tree trunks used as part of the bund gave way at about 5.30am, causing the rising water to overflow into the village.
Khuriah Mohd Sahmsi, 47, was awakened by her neighbours and watched in despair as the floodwaters seeped into her home.
“My neighbour went to the nearby houses to alert everyone about the rising water.
“I moved my car to higher ground but could not save many things inside my house except for important documents,” she said.
The single mother added that her home had been hit by flash floods three times this year.
A resident, who wanted to be known only as Mohammad, said the bund started to erode around mid-September.
“Some officials came earlier this month and the bund, which was built using tree trunks and covered with soil, was repaired. But it was not strong enough to withstand the current high tides.
“We hope the authorities will repair it fast because we are worried about the high tides,” he said, adding that many villagers were mulling whether to relocate to the evacuation centre.
Rozita Bahar, 47, said the floodwaters rose up to her knee and damaged her furniture.
According to the National Hydrographic Centre in Port Klang, the tide hit at a level of 5.6m at 5.50am, while the floodwaters rose to 0.6m.
Selangor Disaster Management Committee secretary Kol Ahmad Afandi Mohamad said that as of 8.45am, 26 evacuation centres had been activated in the state.
Seventy-nine families had been displaced so far, he said, adding that the Dewan Kampung Tok Muda evacuation centre in Kapar had the highest number of evacuees with 53 families.
In Pantai Remis, the sea level at Kampung Bagan Panchor rose after 2.30am, damaging the bund and causing the main roads to become inundated in water which rose up to 300m, reported Bernama.
In Bagan Datoh, five areas were flooded since 4am but no houses were affected, said the district’s Disaster Committee chairman Datuk Hamzah Hussin.
In Perai, checks at Kampung Manis showed that floodwaters had risen up to 0.3m from 1am.
High tide phenomenon situation so far not alarming
BERNAMA New Straits Times 16 Oct 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: The high-tide phenomenon that hit the coasts of several states early this morning did not inflict any casualties or cause severe damage. Although a number of families had to be moved in several locations due to water overflow, the situation so far is not alarming and the authorities are monitoring the phenomenon closely to face any possibilities.
In SELANGOR, 321 peoples from 74 families have been placed in three relief centres following the phenomenon which occured from 3am until 5.40am.
State Disaster Management Committee Secretary Col Ahmad Afandi Mohamad said, the three centres were Dewan Serbaguna, Kampung Tok Muda in Kapar and Dewan Sungai Air Tawar and Dewan Parit Baru in Sabak Bernam.
“This morning, the sea level rose to about the maximum height we had expected, which was around 5.6 to 5.7 metres. -- Bernama
'Supertide' threatens downtown JB with flash floods, 12 areas statewide also at risk
CHUAH BEE KIM New Straits Times 16 Oct 16;
PAHAT: High tide and tidal waves may cause flash flooding along Sungai Segget and the area between Lido beach and the Causeway in Johor Baru on Tuesday, authorities have warned. Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said cityfolk must be on alert for the possibility, which occurs as the result of a natural phenomenon known as ‘supertide.’
Ayub also called on the people to bear with ongoing upgrading works at Sungai Segget, which could also bring about flash flooding in the event of torrential rain.
The state government has urged residents in 12 coastal areas to be on guard as water levels are forecasted by the Johor Meteorological Department to rise up to 3.9 metres, coupled with a 1 metre-high tidal wave between today and Oct 20.
All local district councils in Johor have been warned of the supertide threat which may cause flash flooding in coastal and low-lying areas if there is torrential rain. Ayub said people in affected areas will be relocated if there is such an occurrence.
Areas under threat are Tanjung Langsat (tide up to 3.5m), Tanjung Pelepas (up to 3.5m), Pasir Gudang (up to 3.5m), Tanjung Pelepas (up to 3.5m), Pulau Pisang (up to 3.5m), Endau coastal area (up to 3.4m), Sungai Belungkor (up to 3.3m), Kuala Batu Pahat (up to 3.2m), Mersing (up to 3.2m) and Tanjung Sedili (below 3m).
"However, we believe Johor is under control. States in the northern region, especially from Selangor upwards, are more at risk," Ayub said, adding that there is no flooding in Johor as of now.
He spoke after visiting residents living in the coastal area of Kampung Sungai Lurus here.
With him were officials from the Johor Civil Defence Force.
Meanwhile, in Kedah, no evacuation has been called for, as the high tide phenomenon has not caused significant flooding as of press time.
Kuala Muda district Civil Defence Force (APM) officer Azhar Hamad said the situation is still under control, however, villagers have been warned to take heed if they are ordered to vacate their houses due to high tide.
“So far, no relief centre in the Kota Kuala Muda area has been opened, but we are monitoring the situation closely,” he said when contacted this morning.
According to Azhar, Kedah’s coastal areas have been blessed with good weather conditions since this morning, mitigating the effects of high tide. He said wave levels during high tide have been between 2.8 and 2.9 metres, and have yet to reach 3 metres.
Over 300 people evacuated in Selangor due to high tide phenomenon
ALLISON LAI The Star 16 Oct 16;
KLANG: A portion of the river bund in Sungai Keramat collapsed Sunday morning due to high tide, flooding more than 10 village houses at Kampung Sementa, Batu 5, in Jalan Kapar here.
Eight cars were also damaged after floodwaters gushed into the villagers’ homes in Jalan Kebun Baru, situated right next to the river.
Residents said the tree trunks that were used as part of the bund had given way at about 5.30am, causing the water to overflow into the village.
Khuriah Mohd Sahmsi, 47, said she was awakened by her neighbours and could only watch the floodwaters seeped into her home.
“My neighbour was going around nearby houses to alert everyone about the rising water that rose quickly to the level of my thigh near the kitchen.
“I quickly moved my car to higher ground but I did not manage to save much things inside my house except for important documents because the flashfloods, which was not due to heavy rain, came too sudden.
“I have to use an electric pump to pump out the water,” she said when met here.
As Khuriah was busy scooping out water from the living hall, the single mother said her home had been hit with flashfloods three times this year following downpour.
She hoped the authorities would take appropriate action to make things right.
A resident, who only wished to be known as Mohammad, said that the bund started to wear out since mid-September and little was done to improve it.
“Some officials came early this month and the bund, which was built using tree trunks and covered with soil, were repaired.
But it was not strong enough to withstand high tides.
“We hope the authorities will repair it swiftly because we are worried over the coming high tides on Monday and Tuesday,” he said, adding that many villagers were mulling to relocate to an evacuation centre for temporary shelter.
Zaiton Abdul Rahman, 55, who was awakened by her siblings, breathed a sigh of relief as she managed to save her only cow from being drowned.
“The cow was tied to a tree outside and all its legs were already in the water when I got to her. Luckily I managed to quickly untie the cow and brought it further away,” she said.
Rozita Bahar, 47, said that water rose to her knee and her bed and mattress were damaged, among other furniture.
According to information from the National Hydrographic Centre in Port Klang, the tide was recorded at 5.6m at 5.50am, while floodwaters rose to 0.6m.
Selangor Disaster Management Committee secretary Kol Ahmad Afandi Mohamad said that as of 11.30am, 26 evacuation centres have been activated in the state.
“Seventy-nine families are displaced so far,” he said, adding that the Dewan Kg Tok Muda evacuation centre in Kapar recorded the most number of evacuees with 53 families.
Fishermen taking big risk by going out to sea during the high tide
CRYSTAL CHIAM SHIYING and M. SIVANANTHA SHARMA The Star 17 Oct 16;
BUTTERWORTH: Fishermen in Penang are still going out to sea during the high tide phenomenon.
Ridzwan Rahim, 30, was spotted coming back from the sea at around 11am yesterday, where his boat was pounded by huge waves at Pantai Bersih in Bagan Ajam.
He said he had to earn a living, so he decided to go out early in the morning and return before the high tide.
“The tide was high but luckily for me, there was no strong wind,” he said yesterday.
Instead of leaving his boat in the water as usual, he pulled it to the shore as he was worried that the strong waves might damage the boat.
A check by The Star showed that people were still visiting tourist spots by the sea such as the Esplanade, Chew Jetty and Gurney Drive.
Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Penang director Pang Ah Lek said no one was evacuated over the phenomenon yesterday.
He added that the highest water level recorded was 2.8m at 12.47pm, both on Penang Island and the mainland.
“The condition was under control but the water level is expected to rise 0.1m higher today, and 3m tomorrow and Wednesday,” he said, adding that there would be two high tides daily – one at around noon and the other at midnight.
Pang said other factors such as heavy rain and strong winds would also increase the water level.
“However, the public, especially those living near the sea and low-lying areas, need not panic.
“Just be alert of the water level and move out if it flows into the house. Water will usually subside within two hours if there is no rain.
“APM is always ready to assist the public,” he added.
Pang previously said the tides would potentially affect 10 areas in the state – Teluk Bahang, Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah, Teluk Kumbar and Balik Pulau on the island, and Penaga, Pantai Bersih, Teluk Air Tawar, Pulau Aman and Sungai Udang on the mainland.
The phenomenon is expected to last until Wednesday. Another round of high tides will happen between Nov 13 and 17.
The public can contact APM at 04-228 9012 or 04-226 3876 in case of emergency.
