PULAU KETAM: Residents whose homes were damaged in the unusually high tide that struck the Kampung Bagan Sungai Lima New Village Sunday have sought temporary shelter at the theatre platform of a nearby temple.
Fearing that another high tide might totally bring down their homes, the residents decided to leave their homes which are mostly built on stilts.
Village headman Tan Chuee Cheng said many residents were worried about their safety after the village was struck with a massive tide, which was dubbed “never before” on Sunday morning, damaging houses and wooden walkways.
“The unusually high tide that was brought about by the northwest wind was worst today (Monday).
“The water level rose to 5.6m, the highest recorded in the last few decades.
“Many residents, especially those whose houses were damaged on Sunday, took shelter at the village temple’s opera theatre,” he said when contacted.
Earlier, it was reported in The Star that some 20 homes and many wooden walkways were damaged as water seeped into the homes and ruined the floor and furniture on Sunday morning following the high tide.
Some 1,000 villagers were caught off guard by the tide, which was accompanied by strong winds and waves that struck at 5.30am.
Tan said that the high tides in the last two days struck at about 5am and only began to recede two hours later.
He noted that the high tide phenomenon was usually seen in the third, sixth and ninth month of the lunar calendar every year, with tides in the ninth month being the highest.
“However, the tide this time is unusual and more serious compared to the years before. It came a month earlier and is expected to last longer.
“I urged all those who live nearby the coastal areas to be vigilant and stay alert at all times,” he added.
A check by The Star at the Port Klang KTM station Monday morning also saw several parts of the access road submerged in flash floods due to the high tide, including the main access road to the adjacent Southpoint ferry terminal.
Water rose to as high as 20cm near the station and terminal and flooded the access roads within 15 minutes following a heavy downpour at 5.30am.
Meanwhile, Selangor Infrastructure and Public Facilities Committee chairman Zaidy Abdul Talib said that the high tides have caused several bunds around the coastal areas to burst, causing flash floods.
“The bunds could withstand water level up to 5.5m in maximum. However, the water level rose to 5.6m on Sunday night due to the high tide and it overflowed the banks,” he said when contacted by The Star.
The bunds affected included those built at Kampung Sungai Serdang and Pandamaran in Klang; Pantai Remis and Kampung Sungai Sembilang in Kuala Selangor; and Kampung Tok Muda in Kapar.
“The Irrigation and Drainage Department is already repairing the broken bunds.
“Efforts to upgrade all bunds in Selangor are also underway and will begin in Sabak Bernam in October,” he added.
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