Malaysia: Rain and high tide cause floods in Johor, Supermoon effect to worsen things

MOHD FARHAAN SHAH, SHARON LING, ALLISON LAI, and N. TRISHA The Star 15 Nov 16;


JOHOR BARU: Three districts in Johor have been hit by flash floods caused by heavy downpour and high tide.

The areas affected are Jalan Skudai here, Pontian Trade Centre and Pantai Punggor in Batu Pahat.

Johor Civil Defence Department director Colonel Mat Zin Bujang said heavy rain that coincided with the high tide triggered yesterday’s flash floods.

He said the rains came around 9.45am while the high tide followed some 15 minutes later.

“Water started to rise at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Jalan Skudai at around 10.30am but receded at around 12.25pm due to low tide,” Col Mat Zin said. “No one was injured.”

He pointed out that the tide levels at Pantai Punggor was at 3.2m.

“The department placed several personnel at known high tide hotspots around Johor due to the supermoon phenomena.

“We will continue to monitor the coastlines over the next few days due to the current rainy season and high tide,” he said.

The supermoon phenomena is expected to cause water levels to rise up to 3.2m tomorrow and on Thursday due to the gravity pull between the moon and the Earth.

In Taiping, flash floods were reported in various parts of the town and nearby Aulong and Pokok Assam after an hour-long downpour.

Several vehicles were submerged in 0.3m high floodwaters at a carpark in Barrack Road while others were damaged by fallen trees. Some 1,000 homes were affected.

In Klang, residents of Kampung Sementa residents in Kapar here were relieved their homes were spared during the high tide phenomenon.

The repaired bund in Sungai Keramat stopped the waters from overflowing into the village which is situated right next to the river.

“I stayed up late last night to keep watch. The water level rose on the other side of the bund at about 5am and only a small amount of water overflowed into Sungai Keramat at around 6am.

“Thank God the bund worked,” said resident Rozita Bahar when met at her home yesterday.

The 47-year-old janitor said that her mother, daughter and a few other siblings living nearby would continue to stay put at their houses as higher tides were expected over the next two days.

“There is still so much to clean, clear and rearrange in the house following the flooding last month.

“We really hope there will be no more flash floods in the area after this,” she added.

Jariah Md Saleh, 64, from Kampung Tok Muda, another high risk area in Kapar, was also relieved that her home was not affected.

“However, some neighbours and I are seeking temporary shelter at the evacuation centre. Let’s see what happens over the next few days,” she said.

Information from the National Hydrogra­phic Centre in Port Klang said the tide was recorded at 5.5m at 5.27am yesterday.

It is expected to rise to 5.6m today and tomorrow.

Selangor Disaster Management Committee Sementa coordinator Mohd Azmi Mat Sangir said that as of 3pm, four evacuation centres had been activated in the state and two of them were not occupied.

Meanwhile, state infrastructure and public facilities exco Zaidy Abdul Talib said portions of the bund in Sungai Air Tawar and Tebuk Mendeling in Sabak Bernam gave way again yesterday morning, flooding parts of the ground floor.

“Officers from the Irrigation and Drainage Department are building smaller bunds to prevent water at the burrow pit from seeping into the nearby low-cost housing area” he said.


King tide causes flash floods in Batu Pahat, Pontian
AHMAD FAIRUZ OTHMAN New Straits Times 14 Nov 16;

JOHOR BARU: Batu Pahat and Pontian were hit by flash floods this morning following the king tide phenomenon reigning coastal areas in the state. Johor Civil Defence Force director Colonel Mat Zin Bujang said areas such as Kampung Punggur Rengit in Batu Pahat experienced 30-minute of flash floods as water rose to less than a metre high.

"The 10am incident lasted about 30 minutes before the water subsided. There are no temporary relocation centres activated," he told the New Straits Times.

Mat Zin said the flash flood in Batu Pahat coast was caused by heavy rain, strong wind and tides that reached 3.2m in height at 9.30am today.

Traders and residents at a food court in Kampung Punggur, Rengit were seen salvaging their belongings when their premises were inundated by less than a metre-deep water.

Meanwhile, residents in Pontian also witnessed the king tide when floods hit part of the Pontian Commercial Centre.

The water subsided about an hour later. In Johor Baru, Malaysian Red Crescent Community Services committee member Lekha Nandy, who was driving out of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital said the large drains outside the hospital overflowed during heavy rain in the morning.

"I was driving out of the hospital at 11am when I saw the large monsoon drain outside the hospital's fence overflowing. The rest of the hospital compound was not affected," said Lekha, adding that none of the other areas in the city were flooded due to the high tide phenomenon.


Several areas at high risk of flooding due to ‘supermoon’
The Star 14 Nov 16;

GEORGE TOWN: With the supermoon phenomenon expected to take place today, several areas in Penang would be at risk of flooding.

State Local Government, Flood Mitigation and Traffic Management Committee member Chow Kon Yeow said that the tide was expected to reach as high as 3.5 metres and low lying areas might experience flood.

"Areas such as Kampung Manis, Prai is one of the most vulnerable areas in the state to experience flood due to the phenomenon because of its location," he said during a press conference here Monday.

It was reported that the king tide phenomenon was forecast to occur between today and Nov 21, when the tide could rise as high as 3.5m. The last round of king tides happened in mid-October.

This is the first time since 1948 that the moon will be at its closest to earth and due to the position, the gravitational pull will be stronger with the phenomenon expected to cause king tides which will lead to flooding especially at low lying areas.
"Phenomenon such as the super moon and extraordinary heavy rainfall will result in flooding but unfortunately, it is out of our control as we could not control the nature," he said.

On Oct 16, some 20 houses in Kampung Manis in Perai were hit by floods.

Meanwhile Penang Civil Defence director Pang Ah Leh said his personnel were on standby besides taking steps to face the high tide phenomenon.

Based on previous experience, the three districts, namely Barat Daya, Seberang Perai Utara and Seberang Perai Tengah are expected to be at risk of flooding even without rain, he said in a statement here today.

He said residents in high risk areas are advised to evacuate to the relief centres when directed while patrols would be conducted every four hours. - Bernama


Sabah on alert, as tomorrow's Supermoon may be escorted by the King tide
AWANG ALI OMAR New Straits Times 14 Nov 16;

SANDAKAN: Residents at several coastal areas here are reminded to remain vigilant during tomorrow night’s Supermoon phenomenon, which brings with it the possibility of king tides. The full moon, which will be larger than usual, is likely to have greater gravitational pull that may trigger super high tides, leading to floods.

District Civil Defence chief Ahmad Roslan said warnings on the phenomenon have been issued to about 10,000 people at water villages in the Sim-Sim, Tinusa and Karamunting areas. Other districts which may be affected include islands at Libaran, Sukau, Sekong and Gum-Gum areas.

"Waves could reach between 2.28 and 2.53 meters from 5pm until 9pm today and tomorrow.

"There will be 20 Civil Defence personnel and police on standby for evacuation if necessary," Ahmad said, adding that the public should avoid going to the seaside for safety purposes.


Repaired bund prevents flooding near Kapar
ALLISON LAI The Star 14 Nov 16;

KLANG: The repaired bund along Sungai Keramat has prevented ten houses from being flooded when it stopped waters from overflowing into Kampung Sementa, Batu 5 in Kapar.

''The water level rose on the other side of the bund at about 5am and only a small amount of water overflowed from Sungai Keramat at around 6am. Thank God the bund works,'' said resident Rozita Bahar when met at her home on Monday.

The 47-year-old janitor said that her mother, daughter and few other siblings who also live nearby would stay put at their houses as higher tides were expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

''There is still so much to clean, clear and rearrange in the house following the flooding last month.

“We really hope there will be no more flash floods in the area after this,” she added.

According to information from the National Hydrographic Centre in Port Klang, the tide was recorded at 5.5m at 5.27am on Monday.

It is expected to rise to 5.6m on Tuesday and Wednesday.

When contacted, Selangor Disaster Management Committee Sementa coordinator Mohd Azmi Mat Sangir said that as of 3pm, four evacuation centres have been activated in the state and two of them were not occupied.

“A total of 48 families have been displaced so far and the Dewan Kg Tok Muda evacuation centre in Kapar here recorded the most number of evacuees with 44 families. There are four families at the Dewan Jalan Palembang Kampung Rantau Panjang,” said Mohd Azmi.

He noted that the nine families that stayed put at Kampung Tok Muda have been told to evacuate this time because the area was still considered to be at risk of flooding.

“The villagers stayed put because their homes were not affected during the high tide last month; however we told them to move as this high tide is coupled with rain and strong winds,” he said.

Meanwhile, state infrastructure and public facilities committee chairman Zaidy Abdul Talib said that portions of the bund along Sungai Air Tawar and Tebuk Mendeling in Sabak Bernam gave way again on Monday morning.

“Officers from the Irrigation and Drainage Department are building smaller bunds to prevent water at the burrow pit from seeping into the nearby low cost housing area. A pump is also installed at the housing area to pump out the water,” he said when contacted.

Zaidy also noted that the bund in Sungai Keramat was not complete.

“Works to restore the bund to its designed shape are ongoing after the water has receded,” he said.

He added that an emergency allocation of RM4.3mil has been given by the state administration to repair the broken bunds along the coastal area.

“The works will continue wherever necessary,” he said.


Flash floods hit Perak
IVAN LOH The Star 15 Nov 16;

IPOH: Flash floods have hit several districts in Perak following heavy rainfall late Monday.

Some 287 people from 200 families are affected and have been relocated to temporary shelters.

In Manjung, several villages including Kampung Kilang, Kampung Gaduh, Kampung Tuang, Kampung Paya Takung, Kampung Meranti, Kampung Paya Ara and Kampung Pulau Kabung have been inundated with floodwaters.

A temporary shelter was set up at the Inderawati Hall in Beruas at 9.15pm Monday to accommodate 141 people from 50 families.

At Larut Matang and Selama district, the Simpang Halt community is being used for flood victims from Kampung Simpang Halt.

The shelter was opened at 7pm and is now housing 30 families, with 78 people.

At Kuala Sepetang, the Kampung Jelapang Jaya hall has been opened at 10pm to shelter the 22 villagers there.

In Taiping, a temporary shelter has been set up at SK Kampung Boyan to accommodate 13 villagers from Kampung Murni.

In Kuala Kangsar, Kampung Lempor Hilir, in Manong, have been inundated, affecting 10 families with 33 people.

In Kerian, reports have been received of floods due to extraordinary high tides, with the water level reaching as high as 2.79m at about 3.30am.

The water started to recede by 5.30am.

Among the areas affected included Kampung Depan Balai and Kampung Teluk in Bagan Serai, Kampung Sungai Protan, Kampung Jalan Gula, Kampung Sungai Baru, Kampung Sungai Petani and Kampung Lubok Buntar in Selinsing.

Other areas are Bagan Cina, Kampung Raja Bashah, Kampung Nelayan Kuala Kurau, Kampung Nelayan Tanjung Piandang, Bagan Selatan, Kampung Bagan Tiang and Bagan Utara.

The condition there is said to be under control.


High tide phenomenon strikes Perak, 220 people evacuated
NABILAH HAMUDIN New Straits Times 15 Nov 16;

IPOH: Three districts in the state, namely, Larut Matang Selama (LMS), Manjung and Kuala Kangsar were hit by flood following the high-tide phenomenon yesterday. The waters have inundated the homes of 74 families comprising 220 people.

A spokesman for the State Flood Committee Secretary said that as of 12 midnight, three relief centres have been opened – two in LMS and one in Manjung.

He said the highest number of evacuees has been recorded in LMS, with 100 residents from 37 families, all of whom were relocated to Dewan Orang Ramai Simpang Halt and Dewan Orang Ramai Kampung Jelapang Jaya since 7pm yesterday. Among the affected areas in LMS are Kampung Jelapang Jaya, Mukim Assam Kumbang and Kampung Simpang Halt.

"In Manjung, 11 areas are affected, including Kampung Pulau Meranti, Kampung Paya Ara and Kampung Masjid Lama. "A total of 89 residents from 27 families were also affected in this district. They have been evacuated to Dewan Inderawati Beruas," he said.

In Kuala Kangsar, 34 victims from 10 families from Manong and Kampung Lempor Hilir were affected by the floods. "However, no relief centre has been opened in Kuala Kangsar," he added.


Taiping hit by flash floods
CHAN LI LEEN The Star 14 Nov 16;

TAIPING: Various parts of the town centre here and the nearby areas of Aulong, Pokok Assam and Simpang were inundated after an hour-long downpour on Monday.

Several vehicles were seen in 0.3m-high floodwaters at a car park on Barrack Road following heavy rains and strong winds, which started at about 2pm yesterday.

Fallen trees also caused damage to vehicles.

About 1,000 homes were affected by the flash floods although no injuries were reported.

When contacted, Taiping OCPD Asst Comm Harrith Kam Abdullah said five families from Kampung Pak Darus in Simpang were evacuated from their homes at 8pm.

"Twenty-seven people including 13 children have been relocated to the community hall at the village.

"Waters in the area are receding," he added.

In Kampung Simpang Halt, Simpang, 44 people including 18 children, were relocated to the village community hall after three hours of heavy rain.

"The road leading to the village is not accessible due to overflow of water from its drainage and irrigation system," said ACP Harrith Kam.