Two of Abdul Wahab Othman's chalets were destroyed by the large waves. - Photo: Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU: Due to the phenomenon of huge waves, a total of 23 families from the Kemaman and Dungun districts have been compelled to seek shelter at temporary relief centres (PPS), as their homes near the coast have been battered.
Terengganu Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) director Mohd Zul Khairi Shamsuddin confirmed that 80 victims were involved, with 66 in Kemaman and 14 in Dungun.
"In Kemaman, one PPS was opened at Dewan Kampung Geliga Pantai on Sunday (Jan 12), housing 19 families, while the Bandar Paka Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) Hall began operating as a PPS on the same day at 9pm, accommodating four families," he stated.
Members of the public observing the large waves at Pantai Seberang Takir on Sunday night. - Photo: Bernama
Residents near Pantai Geliga and Pantai Paka observed wave heights between 3.8m and 4m with speeds of 60km/h, occurring after dusk and continuing until midnight. Mohd Zul Khairi noted that the situation is currently under control, but if the wave conditions from Sunday recur, more residents may seek refuge at the PPS.
"All seven districts, except for Hulu Terengganu, located along the coast are at risk of experiencing similar conditions if it recurs," he added.
Around 200 Civil Defence personnel have been deployed to monitor the situation across Terengganu, including in areas not considered high risk, due to their low-lying geographical locations.
Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) Terengganu director, Rosli Zakaria, explained that the large waves could also be influenced by the perigee phenomenon, the full moon, as well as monsoon surges, although their effects vary according to specific circumstances.
He indicated that large waves and high surges are expected to continue in Terengganu until the end of the Northeast Monsoon in March.
The situation at Pantai Batu Burok on Sunday night. - Photo: Bernama
Mohd Shameer Talib, 33, from Kampung Geliga Baru, narrowly escaped being struck by a roof that collapsed under the onslaught of strong winds and large waves.
After moving his furniture to the kitchen, a loud crash from the living room startled him. A part of the wall was also torn off and blown away by the wind, causing extensive damage to his home.
In Kuala Nerus, food stall owner and seafood trader Manan Ali, 70, could only watch in despair as his business premises collapsed due to severe erosion and massive waves.
Over the past few years, worsening erosion had severely damaged his 20-year-old shop buildings. Manan hopes authorities will find a lasting solution to help residents in the area, increasingly threatened by erosion.
Chalet owner Abdul Wahab Othman, 65, rushed back from Kuala Lumpur upon hearing about the destruction.
Massive waves resulted in significant losses, as two of his chalets were completely destroyed. However, he expressed gratitude that six other rooms remained intact with only minor damage – Bernama.
