Sandbags for high tide defence

IPOH: Bunds in coastal areas in Kedah and Selangor will be raised by placing sandbags in view of high tides which are expected in the middle of this month and November.
National Disaster Management Agency director-general Datuk Zaitun Samad (pix) said they could expect tides as high as five metres which will cause water to overflow.
"The current 2.5m and 3m bunds will not withstand the high tide and we need to raise them," she told reporters after closing the forum on preparations for disasters and launching the disaster preparedness month for Perak here yesterday.
The high tides are expected between Oct 14 and 19 and from Nov 13 to 17.
Last month, high tides caused floods and residents had to be evacuated in Perak, Kedah and Selangor.
Zaitun also said the existing bunds had sunk and the sandbags will raise the height to keep water from overflowing.
"This is a temporary measure to tackle the tides while building new bunds needed allocation, and the matter will be handled by higher authorities," she added.
Zaitun said a NGO has come forward to provide gunny sacks as part of the efforts to involve the private sector and community in such projects.
She also said the planting of mangrove trees is an effective method to prevent high tide floods but a pilot project done by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia found it to be costly.
The agency, together with other departments and agencies, have identified Kedah and Selangor as states likely to be hit by high tide.
In Perak, she said they will focus on the alert system for people to take the necessary steps before any floods from high tide occur.
She added they want the people to be prepared and save, among others, their important documents as well as to be ready to evacuate as high tide will normally occur around 5am.