Selangor firemen on high alert for super high tide event

KLANG: Selangor firefighters are on high alert in anticipation of the super high tide expected to hit on Friday (Oct 18) morning, says Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar.

He said that the state's 1,500 personnel prepared for the northeast monsoon are also ready to respond to the high tide.

"Our fire stations are primed for action, and we have 79 boats poised for deployment," he added and said that all necessary equipment for flood response and evacuation is ready.

On the coming super high tide, Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies director Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said that spring tides coincide with new and full moons and are fairly routine.

"The caution is due to the high tide potentially obstructing rainwater drainage into the sea, increasing the risk of flooding," Dr Tan said.

She recommended practical precautions such as parking vehicles on elevated ground and securing electrical appliances in flood-prone areas.

Meanwhile, marine environmental scientist Prof Datuk Dr Zulfigar Yasin said that the concern arises when high tides coincide with heavy rainfall and added that this reduces the capacity for drainage to discharge into the sea and potentially causes upstream flooding.

The head of the Penang Institute's Heritage and Urban Studies then added that onshore high winds could intensify the high tide impact by driving water further inland.

He suggested proactive measures like lowering freshwater levels by releasing it during low tide ahead of anticipated rain and high tide, and ensuring tidal gates are functioning well.

Additionally, he said, early warnings should be issued to areas likely to be affected, and preparations for relief operations should be in place.