Waves brought on by the high-tide phenomenon, heavy rain and strong winds lashed coastal Kampung Geliga Baru near Kemaman on Monday night, badly damaging seven houses.

However, no one was injured in the incident that occurred at about 8pm and affected 50 people from 10 families who had to move to relief centres at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Geliga and the village community hall.

A victim, Shaiful Azzuari Abdullah, 23, said the incident happened when the family was having dinner at home.

“We have become familiar with beating of the waves, but this time round it was different. The waves lashed at a wall of the house and the sea water filled the house.

“I grabbed whatever I could take and took the family to a safe place,” he said when met at the scene yesterday.

Another victim, fisherman Ismail Jais, 72, said his family decided to move to the community hall well before the incident occurred, after being told to expect an exceptional high tide on Monday night.

Kemaman MP Ahmad Shabery Cheek visited the village yesterday to see the damage caused by the incident.

The communications and multimedia minister pledged to provide immediate aid to the victims.

He also said that there was a plan to relocate the villagers in Kampung Paya Berenjut nearby under the hardcore poor people’s housing project.

- Bernama

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