Selangor told to prepare for big waves due to high tides over next three months

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.

The waves are expected to happen from 4am to 6am on Sept 21, Sept 22, Oct 6, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 9, Nov 4, Nov 5, Nov 6, Nov 7, Dec 4 and Dec 5.

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.