Malaysia: High tides expected at several areas in Johor

NORBAITI PHAHARORADZI The Star 13 Oct 16;

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Residents staying near coastal areas in the state are urged to be extra cautious and keep track of the weather updates from time to time to be alert about the high tide.

State Health and Environment executive committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said that according to the Johor Meteorology Department, an unusual high tide is expected over four days from Oct 16 to Oct 20 in several parts of Johor.

“This is because the moon’s position is at its closest to the earth during that period, causing high tides,” he told reporters during a press conference held at Bangunan Dato’ Jaafar Muhammad here on Tuesday.

The areas expected to experience high tide are Johor Baru beach with tides that could go up to 3.9m, Tanjung Langsat (3.5m), Tanjung Pelepas (3.5m), Pasir Gudang (3.5m), Pulau Pisang (3.5m) and the Endau beach (3.4m).

Other areas affected include Sungai Belungkor where waves could reach up to 3.3m, Kuala Batu Pahat (3.2m), Mersing (3.2m) and Tanjung Sedili (3m).

“If there are any storms or strong winds during the four days at these areas, it may cause floods along the shoreline.

“We also urge the public to avoid any recreational activities by the beach during the period to avoid any untoward incidents from happening,” he added.

In a separate development, Ayub said that the government has been given the honour of delivering the keynote address at the fifth annual Low Carbon Asia Research Network (LoCARNet) meeting in Bandung on Oct 25.

He added that this was in recognition of Johor being the first state in Malaysia as well as in Southeast Asia to have a low carbon society master plan for Iskandar Malaysia and its five local councils.

“The five local councils are Johor Baru City Council, Johor Baru Central Municipal Council, Kulai Municipal Council, Pasir Gudang Municipal Council and Pontian Municipal Council working towards low carbon development,” he said.

Sandbags put up to stem high tides
The Star 16 Oct 16;

KLANG: Workers are lining up the areas near Kampung Tok Muda ri­verbank in Kapar here with sandbags in preparation for high tides.

The phenomenon is expected to hit the area starting from Oct 16.

The forecast time of occurrence and height of tide is at 5.6m at 5.53am on Oct 16, 5.7m at 6.35am on Oct 17, 5.7m at 7.41am on Oct 18 and 5.5m at 7.52am on Oct 19.

The high tide returns to its normal 5.5m on Oct 20.

On Tuesday, National Space Agency research officer Mohd Redzuan Tahar said the anticipated high tides were due to the perigee, when the moon is closest to Earth.

As such, residents in 17 coastal areas in the state have been told to seek temporary shelter early at evacuation centres.

Selangor Disaster Management Committee secretary Kol Ahmad Afandi Mohamad said residents should not wait until the eleventh hour to evacuate.


Klang braces for high tide phenomenon
C. PREMANANTHINI New Straits Times 12 Oct 16;

KLANG: Klang Municipal Council (MPK) is taking proactive measures in preparation for the high tide phenomenon which is expected to hit between Oct 14 and 19.

MPK president Datuk Mohamad Yasin Bidin said the council will be working closely with the Klang District Office and the Public Works Department (JKR) to upgrade and strengthen the bunds along the coastline to stop the erosion.

Six flood relief centres will also be set up. Yasin said about 30,000 sandbags will be used to place the ramparts and on existing bunds.

He has also instructed enforcement officers to clear clogged drains including monsoon drains in and around Klang town. “Tomorrow, we will begin filling in the sandbags.

The council has also prepared three search and rescue units and a boat.

“The six flood relief centres are Dewan Kompleks Sukan Pandamaran, Dewan Serbaguna MPK Pandamaran Jaya, Dewan Serbaguna MPK Kampung Idaman, Dewan Serbaguna MPK Pelabuhan Klang, Dewan Serbaguna MPK Teluk Gadung, and Dewan Serbaguna MPK Kampung Kuantan.

“This early preparation is to ensure the flood victims get the necessary aid,” he said at a press conference held today after he visited a factory in Jalan Kebun Nenas.

Yasin said the purpose of his visit to the factories in the area was to check on the cleanliness of the surroundings and to ensure that it is free from dengue.

“I urge the factory owners to keep the surroundings clean and if they fail to do so, they will be fined.”