GEORGE TOWN: The Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) in Penang will install higher sandbag barriers along the coastlines of Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi to mitigate coastal erosion following unusually high waves since 2025.
Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the short-term mitigation measure involves raising the height of sandbag barriers to ensure they can withstand waves if sea levels rise by up to about 0.6m.
He said technical assessments found that wave heights last year were around 0.6m above normal, rendering the existing sandbag barriers ineffective.
"When waves become higher, water overflows to the rear and pushes the barriers outward, while the worsening erosion is mainly caused by these unusually high wave conditions," he told reporters after attending the Penang Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Award Programme here on Tuesday (Feb 10).
He was commenting on the worsening coastal erosion at Batu Ferringhi, which has marred the scenic view of the popular tourist destination in the island here.
Zairil said the state DID is in the process of appointing a contractor to carry out short-term mitigation works, including determining the new height of sandbag barriers to provide better protection against rising sea levels.
He said the short-term measures are expected to last about a year, although efforts are being made to extend their durability.
Meanwhile, DID is finalising the design for a long-term mitigation project estimated to cost about RM60mil to permanently address coastal erosion.
"Previous mitigation projects have successfully improved beach conditions, and similar approaches will be considered for Batu Ferringhi, including the construction of wave breakers, outfalls and beach nourishment," he said.
He added that the final design of the project, covering a three-kilometre stretch from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi, will be completed once DID finishes its technical studies. – Bernama
