Battening down the hatches as floods are expected

KUALA LANGAT: Selangor’s coastal areas are on high alert for the high tide phenomenon which started yesterday and is expected to last until tomorrow.

Twelve families in Kuala Langat who were affected by flooding due to the high tide and a downpour have been safely evacuated to the Kampung Kelanang Community Hall temporary shelter.

Kuala Langat district disaster management unit officer Sharom Nizam Abdul Aziz said that authorities are on full alert to respond to incidents near the coastline.

“As at noon yesterday (Sunday), there were six families in Kampung Kelanang and six more in Kampung Sungai Nangka affected by floods.

“Other evacuation centres have already been identified and are ready to be activated if needed.”

He said that while the tide is not expected to be as high as a few months ago, the current monsoon period has increased the risk level.

“The Irrigation and Drainage Department inspected our flood barriers and maintenance work was carried out in anticipation of the tide.

“Notices have also been put up to inform the public of the closure of beaches in the area until Jan 5.”

In KLANG, the tide reached a height of 5m at 6.10am on Monday with no reported incidents following rain from the night before.

A spokesman from the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) said that checks conducted by mobile units at hotspots reported no incidents of spillage from bunds, retention walls or catchment ponds.

“Tides for Jan 4 and 5 are expected to maintain the same height at 5m,” said the spokesman.

In SABAK BERNAM, district officer Amri Ismail – who is also chairman of the disaster relief committee – said warning banners have been put up at seven beaches in Redang, Sekinchan; Sungai Lang; Bagan Nakhoda Omar; Sungai Burung; Sungai Nibong; a fishing village in Sungai Besar; and Sungai Leman.

Village management committee chairmen from 90 villages have also been asked to disseminate warnings to the community.