Malaysia: High tide phenomenon: Fishermen, residents, authorities move into alert mode

DAWN CHAN and FALIQ LAJIM New Straits Times 20 Sep 17;

SHAH ALAM: Fishermen have been told to put on life jackets when they head out to sea during the high tide phenomenon, which is expected to being anytime now and last till December this year.

Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) chairman Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim said the phenomenon is expected to hit the Selangor coastlines as well as several areas in Perak.

"I would like to advise fishermen to wear life jackets while they are out at sea during the high tide phenomenon. Apart from that, I ask that fishermen be alert of the instructions given by the authorities and to have the K3M app (Maritime Community Security and Safety Awareness) if they meet with any accidents at sea.

"I have also instructed LKIM's Fishermen Safety Group (Kumpulan Keselamatan Nelayan) to be prepared to render any assistance to the authorities if needed. LKIM has also set up a disaster committee to assist fishermen who may be affected by the phenomenon," said Irmohizam.

Over in Klang, Kalmi Yusuf, 59, a resident at Kampung Tok Muda is shaking with fear when she heard that there will be another episode of the high tide phenomenon.

"I lost RM5,000 during the flood last year, " she said.

The high tide phenomenon, which will go on until December, this year is expected to cause flooding at five districts in Selangor, including Kampung Tok Muda in Klang.

This has forced residents, apart from the fisherman community in the area, to be on alert and take precautionary measures to face the possibility of flooding.

Kalmi said she has rearranged her belongings and stored important items and documents high up. She is fully prepared to evacuate if the water level rises.

"I have also asked two of my children to rearrange and pack their stuff. We have packed our clothes and personal belongings.

"We lost many of our household items, including a washing machine, refrigerator, two motorbikes and a Proton Iswara vehicle in the flood, last year.

"I could no longer use my car due to its rusty condition and I would have to fork out a huge sum to repair it," said the single mother.

Kalmi said the family stayed at one of the relief centres in Klang, the Dewan Orang Ramai Kampung Tok Muda, for a week during the flood, last year.

Checks at the Jeti Pengkalan Kampung Tok Muda, showed fishermen and residents preparing for the worse.

One resident, Baharin Ibrahim, 49, said he had also taken necessary steps.

"Water levels were knee high during a flood episode two years ago. I do not want to go through that again. Hence, this time around, I have placed my belongings and valuables at a higher place."

Fisherman, Mohd Rahim Mahani, 59, said he and his friends would always ensure their boats were properly secured.

"This is to ensure our boats stay in place and not be swept away by tides. We will take turns to monitor our boats during this time," he added.

Selangor told to prepare for big waves due to high tides over next three months
wani muthiah The Star 20 Sep 17;

SHAH ALAM: Residents in coastal areas here have been cautioned to be prepared for possible flooding due to a rise in sea levels caused by big waves due to high tides.

Selangor Disaster Management Unit head Ahmad Fairuz Mohd Yusof (pic) said the large waves were expected to occur between Sept 21 and Dec 5.

"The occurrence in the coastal areas in Selangor such as the Klang district, Kuala Langat, Sepang, Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam are expected to be affected," Ahmad Fairuz told a press conference at the state secretariat on Wednesday.

He said the waves are expected to be the highest in October and November with a forecast reading of between 5.5m to 5.6m.

Ahmad Fairuz said the situation can worsen if there was rain and strong winds during the waves.

"If the wave is accompanied by rain and heavy winds, there is a possibility of sea water overflowing the coastal banks.

"This will erode the banks, causing them to break and if this happens the increased level of sea water flowing into land will flood high risk areas such as fishing villages and jetties," he added.

He said, as opposed to rain water flooding, sea water flooding will cause more damage due to the salt content.

He said evacuation centres will also start operations a day before the wave dates.

According to Ahmad Fairuz, all the necessary satellite information has already been given to the state's district authorities.

"So it is now the responsibility of the district disaster committees to prepare for what could happen based on the past records,'' said Ahmad Fairuz, adding that the Selangor government had spent RM4.3mil in 2016 and RM8mil this year to repair and strengthen river and coastal banks.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry's Minerals and Geoscience Department also presented slope hazard and risk maps to Hulu Selangor District Council, Selayang Municipal Council, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Kajang Municipal Council, Sepang Municipal Council and the Selangor Town and Country Planning Department.

The maps will provide information on landslide-prone areas to companies undertaking construction and infrastructure projects in high-risk areas.

Coastal residents urged to be wary of high-tide phenomenon
The Star 21 Sep 17;

SHAH ALAM: Residents in coastal areas have been cautioned to be prepared for possible flooding due to a rise in sea levels due to the high-tide phenomenon.

Selangor Disaster Management Unit head Ahmad Fairuz Mohd Yusof said the tidal waves were expected to occur from now until December.

“Coastal areas in Selangor such as the Klang district, Kuala Langat, Sepang, Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam are expected to be affected,” Ahmad Fairuz told the media at the state secretariat yesterday.

He said the waves were expected to be the highest in October and November with a forecast reading of between 5.5m and 5.6m.

“When the wave is at its maximum height and if there is rain and heavy winds at the same time, there is a possibility of water from the sea overflowing coastal banks.

“This will erode the banks causing them to break and if this happens, the increased level of sea water flowing inland will flood high-risk areas such as fishing villages and jetties,” he said.

He added that compared to rain water flooding, seawater flooding would cause more damage due to the salt content.

He said evacuation centres would also start operations a day before the high tide dates.

According to Ahmad Fairuz all the necessary satellite information has already been given to the state’s district authorities.

He added that the Selangor government spent RM4.3mil in 2016 and RM8mil this year to mend and strengthen river and coastal banks to prevent flooding.