Left in pieces: Residents inspecting the remnants of a road in Kampung Tanjung, Batu Rakit, that was badly damaged due to severe erosion and massive waves. — Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU: Twenty- three families in the Kemaman and Dungun districts have been forced to seek refuge at temporary relief centres due to large waves striking their homes near the coast.
Terengganu Civil Defence Force (APM) director Mohd Zul Khairi Shamsuddin said 80 victims were affected, with 66 in Kemaman and 14 in Dungun.
“In Kemaman, one relief centre was opened at Dewan Kampung Geliga Pantai on Jan 11, housing 19 families, while the Bandar Paka Village Development and Security Committee Hall is accommodating four families.
“Residents near Pantai Geliga and Pantai Paka have experienced wave heights of between 3.8m and 4m, with wind speeds reaching 60kph, starting after dusk and continuing until midnight,” he said when contacted by Bernama yesterday.
He added that the situation is under control. If similar waves occur again, more residents may seek refuge at the relief centres, though the numbers are unlikely to be significant.
“All seven districts located along the coast, except for Hulu Terengganu, are at risk of experiencing similar conditions if the situation persists,” he said.
Mohd Zul Khairi said 200 APM personnel have been deployed to monitor the situation across Terengganu, including areas not considered high risk, given the region’s low-lying geographical characteristics.
Blow to livelihood: Abdul Wahab inspecting the damage to one of his chalets in Kampung Tanjung, Batu Rakit. — Bernama
Meanwhile, Malaysian Meteorological Department Terengganu director Rosli Zakaria said large waves can also be influenced by the perigee phenomenon (when the moon is at its closest point to Earth), the full moon and monsoon surges. The severity of their effects depends on specific circumstances.
He said large waves and high surges are expected to continue in Terengganu until the northeast monsoon season ends in March.
“For now, strong winds and rough seas are expected to persist until Jan 18. While large waves are a natural phenomenon, their impact worsens when strong monsoon surges coincide with the spring tide,” he added.
Mohd Shameer Talib, 33, from Kampung Geliga Baru, shared his harrowing experience of narrowly avoiding being struck by a roof that collapsed due to strong winds and large waves.
He was in the kitchen at the time, having moved furniture from the living room.
“Suddenly, I heard a loud crash coming from the living room. If I hadn’t been in the kitchen, I don’t know what would have happened to me.
“Part of the wall was also torn down and blown away by the wind. Several electrical appliances and furniture were badly damaged.“It’s heartbreaking to see so many of my late mother’s belongings destroyed,” he said when met at Dewan Kampung Geliga Pantai.
In Kuala Nerus, Manan Ali, a food stall and seafood trader in Kampung Tanjung, Batu Rakit, sat in despair after his business premises collapsed due to severe erosion and huge waves last night.He said worsening erosion over the past few years had severely damaged the two 20-year-old buildings housing his shop.
“The structure at the back collapsed on Nov 29 last year, followed by another section on Dec 28. The final blow came last night at 9.30pm when strong winds and relentless waves destroyed both buildings,” the 70-year-old said when met in Kampung Tanjung.
Manan, though heartbroken, said he accepts the calamity as fate and hopes the authorities will find a lasting solution for residents in the area who face increasing threats from erosion.
Abdul Wahab Othman, 65, a chalet owner, recounted rushing back from Kuala Lumpur upon hearing from villagers about the destruction.
Though the massive waves destroyed two of his chalets, he is grateful that six other rooms had only minor damage.“This year’s erosion is the worst in two decades. The waves and winds have been unusually strong and terrifying,” he said.
