HIGH TIDE WARNING
Precautions taken to face high tide phenomenon from September to November
STATE authorities have taken precautions to monitor the west coast of the peninsula, which is expected to experience high tide phenomenon from September to November.
The dates forecasted for the phenomenon are Sept 9 to 12, Sept 23 to 28, Oct 8 to 12, Oct 22 to 27, Nov 6 to 11 and Nov 21 to 26.
In Ipoh, Perak Civil Defence Force (APM) is monitoring five districts that are prone to high tide as it braces for the phenomenon, which is reported to affect several states this week.
State APM deputy director Lieutenant-Colonel (PA) Zairil Anuar Zulmuji said the hotspots were Hilir Perak, Bagan Datuk, Manjung, Larut, Matang dan Selama, and Kerian.
“From today, Perak APM will monitor places with high-risk areas identified to be affected with the first phase of high tide, and will continue to do so until Sept 13.
“We have 150 personnel on standby and who will be deployed at a moment’s notice during a high tide. If the situation worsens, we will be prepared to deploy 800 more.”
Zairil Anuar said warnings were issued to residents through various mediums, including Whatsapp, notices, mosque announcements and other social media platforms.
“Residents are advised to place their electronic appliances and valuables at safe places and prepare bags containing basic necessities and clothes, and switch off the electric supply at their homes whenever they are instructed to evacuate.”
In Kedah, State Fire and Rescue Department director Abdul Razak Muda said it would be on alert for floods from Sept 9 to 12 and Sept 23 to 24.
“As of now, our focus will be Langkawi and Kuala Muda, while monitoring other areas. I advise the public to avoid visiting high tide-prone areas for the time being,” he said yesterday, adding that there were also possibilities of sudden surge of water level as recently reported in Tupah, Sungai Petani and Titi Hayun in Yan.
In Selangor, there was no overflow of sea water detected at the coastal areas since a 5.4meter high tide was reported yesterday morning.
Selangor Natural Disaster Management Unit said so far no evacuation centre had been opened and that the bund along the coast had been effective in preventing the inflow of water.
Checks by the New Straits Times Press with the Fire and Rescue Department personnel on several coastal areas showed that it was business as usual for fishermen and visitors in Pulau Ketam and Tanjung Harapan.
Klang Zone Fire and Rescue Department chief Samsol Maarif Saibani said the checks included hotspots in land and sea areas, including Teluk Gong, Pelabuhan Barat and areas in Pulau Indah and Pulau Ketam.
“Five boats, three fire engines and three utility vehicles with 67 personnel will be on standby.”
In George Town, the Esplanade, a famous location by the seaside, was still filled with people despite the high-tide warning by the authorities recently.
Checks by NSTP saw the water level was quite high along Esplanade. However, the sea water did not overflow into the road as previously during high-tide occasions. Some even fished while others were enjoying the cool breeze since morning.
“The tide is quite high but we will be careful. If it looks too dangerous then we will leave,” said visitor Ahmad Idzham Qushairi, 30, here yesterday.
Penang APM said it had identified 10 areas at risk of flash floods due to the high-tide phenomenon. The 10 areas are Batu Ferringghi, Tanjung Bungah, Teluk Bahang, Teluk Kumbar, Balik Pulau, Penaga, Pantai Bersih, Telok Air Tawar, Pulau Aman and Sungai Udang.
Its director, Pang Ah Lek, said the department had about 50,000 extra officers, who would work in shifts and would be on standby for floods in the state.