OFFICIAL PORTAL
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Sandbags to protect Batu Ferringhi beach from erosion
- Admin UKK
- Berita
PETALING JAYA: The department of irrigation and drainage (DID) has begun installing 62 sandbags (also known as beach containers) along a stretch at Batu Ferringhi beach in Penang to mitigate coastal erosion, Zairil Khir Johari said today.
The Penang infrastructure, transport and digital executive councillor said the sandbags would be installed along a 44m stretch – identified as the area most severely affected by coastal erosion – to reduce the impact of waves on the shoreline.
The project will cost RM500,000, he said.
“It is a medium-term mitigation plan which will be effective for two to three years, depending on weather conditions.
“It is a temporary solution until an approved long-term coastal erosion protection project is implemented,” he said in a statement.
He said the installation of sandbags along the beach in front of the Lone Pine Hotel began on July 8 and is scheduled to be completed on Aug 10.
In January, Zairil said the DID was investigating the cause of the worsening coastal erosion in Batu Ferringhi, which had drawn serious attention due to its impact on beach aesthetics, visitor safety and local tourism activities.
Today, Zairil said they are not taking any chances as prolonged delays in the mitigation works could see the erosion spread further inland.
However, he said that high tides could delay the installation of these sandbags as it could only be done during low tide.
“Continuous rain, strong winds and high waves would also make it difficult.”