October 17, 2024
BUTTERWORTH – Exactly a month ago, raging waves battered the coastal areas of Penang, with several beach eateries in Pantai Bersih here among the worst hit.
At least six restaurants were inundated by sea water, while strong winds and violent waves tore apart the concrete flooring, seafront extensions and ruined the kitchens.
Now, operators are bracing for another round of storms with the king tide phenomenon with tides projected to reach between 2.8m and 3.1m, higher than the 2.4m and 2.7m recorded during last month’s storms.
Chiu Ah Chong, 68, is praying things won’t be as bad as a month ago.
He had just spent RM50,000 on repairs for his restaurant. “I have operated here for 26 years, we are used to high tides lapping at the edges of our restaurants.
Penang fears more rain and ruin
“But last month was disastrous. With repairs on the walls and floors at my restaurant now 90% complete, I hope the improved structures can withstand the weather,” he said.
A check by The Star found that at least two operators have already completed repairs on their restaurants. The others are said to have opted for a wait-and-see approach.
One operator, whose roof collapsed while the floor partially fell into the sea, has left the damaged area alone.
“I had just upgraded the front by adding another layer of wall, but it was shattered by the powerful waves last month.
“It will cost at least RM100,000 for the repairs, which include reinforcing the cement floor with concrete and replacing the rusty pillars with stainless steel.
“I will wait until the inter-monsoon period to be over before starting,” said the owner.
At the Pinang Peranakan Mansion in Church Street, where two Chinese tourists were killed when a tree fell on them, restoration efforts are underway to replace the damaged structure.
On Sept 18, the two Chinese tourists, who had just finished touring the mansion, were crushed to death in their car when strong winds uprooted a thick clump of ornamental bamboo and sacred fig trees growing out of the wall.