‘Inland areas worst affected during tidal waves’

KLANG: Tidal waves and the high tide phenomenon generally have a worse effect on inland areas than sea-fronting areas.

Kuala Langat Fishermen’s Association president Mohd Jaman Idris said towns in coastal areas become flooded during tidal wave and high tide season because the drainage system cannot cope with the big amount of water.

“In villages by the seafront, the water just flows back into the sea but it’s the strong winds that we have to look out for.

“Strong winds turns the high tide into tidal waves,” he said.

He said fishermen still go out to sea during this period but not when “there are strong winds during the tidal waves”.

“We keep away from the sea as the winds create big waves which are dangerous to boats,” said Mohd Jaman.

He said it was during tidal waves and high tide that fishermen are able to get an extra yield of certain species of fish such as threadfin which come to shallow waters with the waves.

Selangor Fisheries Department director Azlisha Ab Aziz said the high tide and tidal waves prevent traditional fishermen from going to sea.

When asked about the large number of shellfish and clams on the beach during the high tide phenomenon, Azlisha said they were brought onto the beach by the big waves and high tides.

Pulau Ketam resident and former headman Chia Mong Chun said high tides increased the yield for people who harvest shellfish and clams.

“These shellfish and clams get stranded on the beach when they are washed in by the tides,” Chia said, adding that there was a big supply of a variety of shellfish known as siput sedut in the Pulau Ketam waters now.

Mohd Jaman said he believed the shellfish and clams had come from an area which may be experiencing “trouble” at the seabed.

“Animals and these sea creatures have a sharper sense for natural disasters and calamities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Selangor Disaster Management Unit head Ahmad Fairuz Mohd Yusof said his department was monitoring the 198km coast in the state which has direct impact on local populations.

“We have also issued warnings and have carried out the necessary maintenance work,” said Ahmad Fairuz.