IPOH: People living in coastal areas and rivers, especially in Selangor, Perak and Kedah, have been urged to prepare for the high tide phenomenon, which is expected to escalate by the middle of the month, triggering floods.
National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director general Datuk Zaitun Ab Samad advised residents of the three states living in vulnerable areas to be prepared for the possibility of evacuation.
The phenomenon is expected to strike between Oct 14 and 19.
Based on the forecast by the Meteorology Department, the high tide phenomenon is expected to worsen with waves predicted to be as high as five-metres.
She said that as such, initial preparations must be done now not only be residents, but also by government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Zaitun was speaking at a press conference after officiating the closing ceremony of the Forum on Disaster Preparedness and the launch of the National Preparedness Month 2016 here today.
She said the agency will also make preparations by placing sandbags on ramparts or existing bunds in Selangor and Kedah soon to prepare for the phenomenon.
She said the use of sandbags is important as existing bund, originally built to a height of about three meters, can decrease to 2.5 metres as a result of the sinking process caused by the high tide. The use of sandbags, as such, will serve to bolster the previous height.