KUALA NERUS: The government will continue to build breakwater structures along the coast in this district to reduce the impact of increasingly serious erosion in the area.

       Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib said the state’s coastline often faces disasters such as erosion, and it is the focus and attention of the Ministry in its planning.

       He said the construction of breakwaters at Kampung Tengah Mengabang Telipot in the district which was completed in 2019, gave a positive impact in minimising erosion even though the phenomenon is still occurring.

       "A total of five breakwaters were built at Kampung Tengah Mengabang Telipot costing RM70 million. Checks found that residents and fishermen agreed that the erosion has lessened," said Ismail.

       "The Department of Irrigation and Drainage and the Ministry of Environment and Water have identified the best models," he told reporters after a walkabout session and a briefing by JPS at the village on Monday (June 13).

       Ismail said the next project involved the construction of 16 breakwaters along more than six kilometres from the beach of Pengkalan Maras to Pagar Besi here at an estimated cost of RM90 million.

       "The project will be carried out within this year and is expected to be completed in three years,” he said. - Bernama