Climate change also a factor in Teluk Intan at risk of becoming an island — Wan Junaidi

IPOH: Not only erosion of the river banks of Sungai Perak but also climate change puts Teluk Intan at risk of becoming an island in a about 50 years, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said the climate change taking place now has resulted in more frequent strong winds and typhoons.

“When this happens, the coastline will be eroded putting low-lying areas at risk of getting submerged,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Wan Junaidi said climate change did not only put Teluk Intan at risk but many other low- lying areas in the country as well as worldwide.

On Thursday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mah Siew Keong had said part of Teluk Intan will be submerged and the rest of the town become an island in 50 years if erosion of the banks of Sungai Perak was not addressed.

Pursuant to this, Mah, who is also the MP for Teluk Intan, said the government had allocated RM50 million to build bunds and retaining walls to tackle the matter.

He said the project covering two kilometres of the river’s banks started early last month and was due for completion by the end of next year.

In Pangkor, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said a detailed study was being carried out on the erosion of the banks of Sungai Perak in Teluk Intan.

Concurring with Wan Junaidi on climate change putting Teluk Intan at risk, he said Teluk Intan residents need not fear the worst as the matter was being addressed. — Bernama