Wave Breakers: Engineering Solutions to Terengganu's Coastal Erosion
The monsoon season in Peninsular Malaysia starts in early November and lasts until late January. During this period, the Northeast monsoon brings heavy rainfall, cause inland flooding, while powerful waves from the South China sea relentlessly erode the shores of Terengganu. In my hometown, Kuala Terengganu, this has led to concerning changes along the coastline, such as shortened beaches and steepened shores. Residents living near the shore face dire consequences as their homes and livelihoods are increasingly threatened by ongoing erosion. Alarmingly, the coastline is shrinking by one to two meters annually, jeopardizing both the safety of the local population and the sustainability of the coastal environment. To combat this crisis, authorities in Terengganu have taken proactive measures, including the construction of wave breakers—structures engineered to reduce wave intensity and mitigate coastal erosion.