ARAU : Residents of Kampung Sungai Padang Sanglang here had a rude shock when their homes were inundated with water due to high-tide phenomenon yesterday.
In the 11.30am incident, at least six houses along the coastal areas of Kuala Perlis were submerged by sea water due to high-tide phenomenon, strong winds and rogue waves.
A resident, Muhd Yaqin Yahya, 14, said he was studying alone at home while his mother, Siti Halimah Ahmad, 42, was away in Simpang Empat to buy some groceries for iftar.
“Suddenly I hear the howling of strong winds and then a loud noise, followed by sea water started surging into the house,” he said adding that this was the second high-tide phenomenon hit the village in two years.
Meanwhile, Kuala Perlis Fire and Rescue Department chief Md Azlan Jamaluddin said the high-tide phenomenon occurred along Jalan Kuala Sg Padang to Kuala Perlis Ferry Jetty.
Azlan said two fire engines from the department with eight firemen were dispatched to the location at about 11.46am.
“We had to evacuate affected families from Kampung Sungai Padang.
“Fortunately, no injury was reported and we will keep monitoring the possible affected area,” he said.
State Meteorological Department director Mohd Khalil Abd Aziz said the high-tide phenomenon would last between two and four days.
He said the phenomenon would occur twice within 24 hours due to moon’s gravity pulls the earth's water surface into two bulges, one on the side facing the moon and the other on the opposite side.
“The water on the side furthest from the moon has a weaker pull than the gravitational force of the earth. As the earth rotates under this ocean bulge, it causes a high tide,” he said when contacted.