KUALA TERENGGANU: Beach erosion along a one kilometre stretch of the Tok Jembal shoreline, about 15km from here, has worsened.
Residents claimed it would not be long before it affects the costal road, an alternative route used by motorists from north Terengganu to get to the Sultan Mahmud Airport and Gong Badak.
Vanishing shoreline: A child riding his bicycle dangerously close to the eroded Tok Jembal shoreline in Kuala Terengganu yesterday. Residents fear the erosion might force them to move their homes away from the beachfront areas. The Star discovered that a similar erosion also occurred along Teluk Ketapang beachfront, which is less than two-kilometre from Tok Jembal.
Apart from the damaged road, several tourist infrastructures were also destroyed in both the locations due to deterioration of soil along these shorelines.
Dozens of palm trees that were planted for beautification purpose by local authority were also found uprooted due to the earth condition.
Villager Adnan Che Yah, 53, said the situation worsened during the recent monsoon season.
“We expect the erosion to eat-up more beach front areas. All of us are praying that our homes would not be affected,” he said when met here yesterday.
Fisherman Rahmad Wakaf, 61, said boats are unable to get close to the beachfront due to the erosion.
State Industrial, Commerce and Environment committee chairman Toh Chin Yaw said the State Drainage and Irrigation Department would monitor the situation.
“Remedial plans to prevent further erosion has been outlined by the department and presently the officers are monitoring the site and would activate preventive measures once the need arise,” he said.
