Giant waves batter seafront in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: Giant waves battered the seawall along the popular promenade at Esplanade, causing sea water to land on vehicles parked along the road.

While many were running for cover as the waves rose higher than the lampposts, reaching about 3.5m yesterday, tourists were having a field day taking pictures of the phenomenon.

The incident created a frenzy on social media with several people commenting on Facebook whether the powerful earthquake in Osaka had anything to do with the giant waves.

Making a splash: A passer-by reacting as an enormous wave hits the wall at the Esplanade in Penang. The giant waves drenched nearby visitors as well as several cars parked along the road.

“Same day as Osaka,” said one netizen.

Another user said: “Tsunami as this morning Japan was hit by 6.8 magnitude earthquake I believe.”

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s oceanologist Prof Dr Zulfigar Yasin explained that the powerful waves were due to a clash of winds and currents.

“The tide in the Strait of Malacca rises from the south to the north, so Penang’s tide rises before Kedah.

“We are now getting strong winds from the southwest. Therefore, when the winds blow at the sea as the tide rises, it adds velocity to the currents’ movement on the sea surface, causing larger waves,” he said.

Dr Zulfigar called it lucky that the south-westerly wind only kicked in on the fourth day of Hari Raya.

“We had even stronger tides on the first day. If the winds had met the tide on the first day, you would have seen even bigger waves,” he said.

Dr Zulfigar said many other countries reported more intense coastal storms but there has not been enough statistical evidence that climate change was the culprit.

Meanwhile, seafood restaurants along Pantai Bersih in Butterworth were forced to close for business on Monday after strong waves hit the beach at about 7pm.

“Normally, diners can enjoy the breeze, and there is a sense of excitement when they see the waves pounding the walls.

“But this time, the waves were too huge and we felt it was unsafe to continue operating,” said one restaurant owner who declined to be named.

Car mechanic Chan Kok Hoe advised affected car owners to immediately send their cars for a good wash.

“Salt water takes time to act on metals, so to avoid any damage to your car, you should wash it on the same day,” he said.-Star