Members of the public and tourists are once again reminded to avoid any activities along Selangor's coastal areas due to the high tide phenomenon which is expected to hit these areas from Sunday until Wednesday.

State Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairperson Elizabeth Wong said among the areas expected to be affected were Klang, Kuala Langat, Sepang, Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam, with the sea level projected to rise by up to 5.7 metres.

Meanwhile, Kuala Langat District Council president Mohd Azhar Mohamed Ali said their 'Skuad Pantas' with its 18 personnel and several assets were ready to be deployed at any time.

He said in a statement today that the highest sea level in the district was expected to be on Monday at 6.35am and advised the people in Pantai Kelanang and Pantai Tanjung Sepat to be cautious at all times.

Previously, state Disaster Management Committee secretary Col Ahmad Afandi Mohamad said 40 flood relief centres would be opened in the coastal areas and essential items, dry food and 1,000 portable toilets would be sent to the relief centres to be opened from 2pm Saturday.

Relief centres provided in Perlis

In Perlis, seven relief centres were provided, namely Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seberang Ramai, SJK (C) Khay Beng, Kuala Perlis Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara, Kuala Perlis Kemas office, SK Sg Baru, SK Datuk Ahmad Musa and SK Padang Keria.

Perlis Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) director Lt-Col (CD) Ishak Mohd Radzi said 300 personnel from the agency were ready to be deployed, adding that the sea level was expected to rise up to 3.6 metres at 1.38am on Oct 18 and 3.5 metres on Oct 17 and 19, at 1.02am and 2.15am respectively.

He told Bernama that members of the public could contact the state disaster management operations room at 04-977 7991 or 04-977 8991 for information or in case of emergency.

Meanwhile, Perlis Fisheries Development Authority director Ismail Ladin said his agency would also take part in monitoring the sea conditions around Kuala Perlis and advised fishermen to avoid going out to sea at night.

In Perak, state Disaster Management Committee secretary Mohd Noor Hassan Ashari Sulaiman said all state security departments and agencies were ready to face the high-tide phenomenon which was expected to hit the state from tomorrow until Friday.

He told Bernama that among others, 1,000 boats from various agencies had been arranged, adding that focus would be given to five districts close to the coast namely Larut Matang and Selama, Hilir Perak, Kerian, Manjung and Bagan Datoh.

Checks by Bernama in Kampung Panchor, near Pantai Remis, saw sand embankments still being constructed with the cooperation of various agencies including the Armed Forces, Forestry Department, Taiping Community College and local villagers.

Flash floods in Penang

In Penang, 10 areas in the state are expected to experience flash floods from today until Wednesday, namely Batu Feringghi; Tanjung Bungah; Teluk Bahang; Teluk Kumbar; Balik Pulau; Penaga; Pantai Bersih; Teluk Air Tawar; Pulau Aman; and Sungai Udang.

Penang APM director Pang Ah Lek said the highest sea-level was expected to reach 3 metres on the island at 1.11am, Monday; 1.47am, Tuesday; and 2.24am, Wednesday, while on the mainland, it was expected to reach the highest level at 2.9 metres at 2.25am, Tuesday.

He said there were 114 relief centres provided in the state and that the APM had prepared 24 vehicles and 18 boats, with 1,020 personnel put on stand-by.

He said the District Operations Control Centres and State Operations Control Centre would be opened 24 hours a day and the public could contact the APM at 04-2289012 or 04-2263876 in case of emergencies.

Kampung Nelayan, Teluk Kumbar resident, Mohd Azhar Musa, 50, said he had prepared earlier by moving all his belongings to the second floor of his house and said that he, his wife and their four kids would move to a relief centre if situation got worse.

Another resident, Ahmad Hussain Ahmad Jamal, 48, said a lot of fishermen in Teluk Kumbar area had stopped going to sea since yesterday evening, due to the heavy rain and strong winds.

1,000 people affected in Kedah

In Kedah, Kuala Muda Disaster Management Committee officer, Second Liutenant (CD) Azahar Ahmad said security related agencies had carried out their monitoring since today, although the phenomenon was expected to only start from tomorrow.

He said the phenomenon was expected to affect 1,000 people in Kampung Sungai Yu, Kampung Sungai Meriam, Kampung Paya, Kampung Ujung Matan, Kampung Padang Salim, Kampung Masjid, Kampung Baru Pulau Sayak and Kampung Sungai Pial.

He said Civil Defence Emergency Response Team-Community had also been activated which comprised 60 people including the chairperson of Village Development and Security Committee, village chiefs and the villagers.

Tikam Batu Fire and Rescue Department station head, Mohd Razmi Abd Rashid said besides its 27 officers and personnel, the agency had also stationed a fire engine on standby at Kota Kuala Muda in case of emergency.

Four areas affected in PD

In Negri Sembilan, four areas in Port Dickson are expected to be affected by the high-tide phenomenon, namely Bagan Pinang Beach, Batu 3; Saujana Beach, Batu 4; Teluk Kemang Beach, Batu 8 and Blue Lagoon, Batu 10.

Port Dickson Disaster Management Committee vice chairperson Muhammad Isa Md Onzer said, the phenomen was expected to hit the areas on Thursday with the waves reaching up to 3.5metres in height.

He said the APM would also raise red flag at the lifeguard tower as warning sign for restriction of activities at the beach.

- Bernama