KUALA NERUS: Strong waves caused by the high tide phenomenon washed away five graves at the Kampung Pengkalan Maras cemetery here last night.
Fortunately, villagers who inspected the site this morning managed to recover the bodies, including three that were still wrapped in shrouds.
Kampung Pengkalan Maras Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) chairman Mohd Isshamudin Ismail said the cemetery, located near the coast, had long been threatened by erosion, particularly during the monsoon season.
"The incident was noticed by villagers who visited the site around 9am today.
"In addition to the bodies, there were pieces of shroud, bones, tombstones as well as 'kepuk' (stone structure that encases a grave)," he said when met at the cemetery.
Mohd Isshamudin added that the affected families had been contacted and had come to handle matters, including the reburial of the bodies at the Gong Walit Cemetery in Mengabang Telipot today.
He said that around 200 graves at the cemetery needed to be relocated due to worsening erosion each year.
"Authorities have built a wall to prevent the waves from reaching the cemetery, but the wall is about five years old.
"In the past two or three days, the waves were so strong that the wall couldn't withstand them.
"Most of the graves here are over 70 years old. However, during the rainy season, villagers still bury their dead here because the new burial site is flooded," he added.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Mufti Datuk Dr Mohamad Sabri Haron said the State Islamic Religious and Affairs Department has been granted permission to excavate and relocate graves at risk of being washed away.
"The process must be conducted with care and adhere to the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)," he said.
Kuala Terengganu district police chief Assistant Commisioner Azli Mohd Noor, when contacted, said eight more graves will be relocated soon to prevent similar incidents. — BERNAMA