Coastal Problem in Malaysia (Beach Erosion)

Problem :

Terengganu has the best beaches in Peninsular Malaysia, but some

beaches in Terengganu experiencing the coastal erosion. Tok Jembal
beach was once popular because of its soft , and fine sand but now there
is nothing left of that, it is a silver of sand that ends in a tumble of rocks.
According to MP Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali, over the past six years
it has damaged the homes of villagers, food stalls and roads. A study by
the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) shows that 62% of the
states 244km coastline is being eroded. The main cause is strong waves
during the monsoon season.

Solution:

1) Port-a-Bag Earth Bag Wall

Made from high strength textile that bare pentagon shaped cells
that linked together. It provides a sustainable solution for use as a
large retaining wall, gravity wall, flood barrier system, shoreline
erosion barrier and others. It is easy installation and the bag can be
filled with dirt, sand, rocks, cement for long time cost savings.

2) Break water
Break water is a way of protecting against long shore drift. Break
waters is used to reduce the power of the wave. They are built to
protect a beach that is sloping. The depth of the water and tidal
range depend weather its fixed or floating. The advantage of the
breakwater structure is that the waves wont be as eroding.
Unprotected areas of the beach will not receive any new sediment
and the beach may shrink slowly.
3) Gabions
Gabions is a strong wire cage with pebbles, stones and rocks inside.
Gabions protect the coast line by stopping the waves hitting the
cliffs. It reduces the power of the waves when it hits the small rocks
inside the cage. Gabions are made out of natural materials and are
very cheap. The disadvantage of gabion are they can take up a lot
of space, and when the rocks and stones all erode, the whole cadge
will have to be taken away and replaced.

4) Groynes
Groynes are fences that go along the beach at angles to prevent
long shore drift. The energy from the waves is absorbed in the
groynes. It also catches and traps sediment to prevent it from
moving up the beach. The advantage of groynes that it slows down
long shore drift. The groynes have to be replaced every 15-20 years

5) Revetments
Revetments are sloping structures placed on banks or cliffs in such a
way as to absorb the energy of incoming water. They catch
sediment from long shore drift which helps to build up a beach. The
disadvantage of revetments is it stops the rest of the beach further
down from getting any more sediment, so the beach may become
smaller.

6) Sea Walls
Seawalls are a curved concrete walls that stop strong waves hitting
the cliffs. It protects the foot of the cliff from erosion and can also
prevent flooding. They are expensive to built and it makes the back
swash very strong when the wave hiots the seawall.