KUALA NERUS: The scenic coastal road from the north-end of the Terengganu drawbridge to the Seberang Takir recreational area will be facing its first durability test with the arrival of the North East monsoon winds.
Work is currently in progress to rivet the beach with granite boulders to protect about a kilometre stretch from being battered by rough waves and strong winds, eroding exposed sandy beaches and threatening to overflow into residential areas in Seberang Takir and Telaga Daing.
Residents of some 200 houses parallel to the beach would have to brace themselves against the impact of waves though this would not be the first time they have faced such a situation, only this time a road runs parallel behind their houses.
They are also worried that the cove created by the completion of the breakwater at the Sungai Terengganu estuary some years ago may widen and wedge through weak points along the beach as is the case at the Sura beach in Dungun.
Anuar Abdul Ghani, 46, who lives at the Telaga Daing low-cost housing scheme, said the first row of some 30 houses with their backs facing the South China Sea would have to be prepared for the worse once the beach was hit by the monsoon winds.
“Honestly, we do not know what to expect.
“We are hoping the mitigation measures protect the beach and are able to cushion the impact of the waves and protect the road from erosion or over flowing sea water into the residential area.
“I hope more trees will be planted to protect the beach like what the local authorities did at the Seberang Takir recreational area near the Sultan Mahmud airport,” he added.
Wook Mohd, 77, who also lives in Telaga Daing, said she used to take her grandchildren to the beach during weekends, but has yet to take them for a leisurely stroll since the road was opened to the public.
“I was told by neighbours that the mitigation work to protect the beach is ongoing and it is not safe to be anywhere along the beach until the work is done.
“Moreover, the beach is now riveted with granite boulders and there is little sandy stretches to walk on.
“They should have thought of planting trees to protect the beach or build breakwaters parallel to the new road.
“They should have reclaimed the sand to expand the sandy beaches rather than protecting it with granite boulders.
State Exco for Infrastructure, Public Utilities and Green Technology Mamad Putih is expected to visit the affected stretch next week and to have a first hand look at the mitigation work.