Sea Level Rise Impacts and Adaption Measures for Sandakan, Sabah
Sea level rise (SLR) can give various impacts such as inundation in the low-lying areas, increase the coastal erosion and extreme events such as storm surge, wave overtopping, salt intrusion and damage to existing coastal infrastructure, hence affects the socio-economy and the livelihood of the coastal communities. The projected SLR along the Sandakan coast for the year 2020, 2040 and 2060 are 0.1 m, 0.25 m and 0.5 m, respectively. This study was carried out to assess the impacts of SLR to Sandakan coast for 2020, 2040 and 2060; and to recommend some relevant adaptation measures to reduce the impact. Hydrodynamic model with simulations of 2020 and 2040 projected SLR show no significant change in Sandakan Town when compared to the existing condition, probably due to its high platform level. However, model simulations for 2060 projected SLR show that the wave heights may increase by 0.18 m compared to the existing 2.6 m, although the wave heights in Teluk Sandakan will not change much. Similarly, the maximum current velocities will increase by 0.15 m/s in 2060, compared to the existing condition of 0.3 - 0.5 m/s. Overall, more impacts of SLR can be observed at Pulau Duyong due to its low-lying area. There will be a reduction in land area; about 958 hectares out of the existing 1,800 hectares of mangrove forests and coastal vegetation will be lost due to inundation and erosion, generated by the 0.5 m projected SLR in 2060. Construction of railings, low walls and rock bunds are recommended as an adaptation measure to ensure the safety of the people living along the Sandakan coast. There is also a need to raise the bund and platform levels for jetties and slipways at the Marine Police Complex to avoid inundation. The estimated cost for the recommended adaptation measures is about RM18.25 million.
Authors
Abstract
Sea level rise (SLR) can give various impacts such as inundation in the low-lying areas, increase the coastal erosion and extreme events such as storm surge, wave overtopping, salt intrusion and damage to existing coastal infrastructure, hence affects the socio-economy and the livelihood of the coastal communities. The projected SLR along the Sandakan coast for the year 2020, 2040 and 2060 are 0.1 m, 0.25 m and 0.5 m, respectively. This study was carried out to assess the impacts of SLR to Sandakan coast for 2020, 2040 and 2060; and to recommend some relevant adaptation measures to reduce the impact. Hydrodynamic model with simulations of 2020 and 2040 projected SLR show no significant change in Sandakan Town when compared to the existing condition, probably due to its high platform level. However, model simulations for 2060 projected SLR show that the wave heights may increase by 0.18 m compared to the existing 2.6 m, although the wave heights in Teluk Sandakan will not change much. Similarly, the maximum current velocities will increase by 0.15 m/s in 2060, compared to the existing condition of 0.3 - 0.5 m/s. Overall, more impacts of SLR can be observed at Pulau Duyong due to its low-lying area. There will be a reduction in land area; about 958 hectares out of the existing 1,800 hectares of mangrove forests and coastal vegetation will be lost due to inundation and erosion, generated by the 0.5 m projected SLR in 2060. Construction of railings, low walls and rock bunds are recommended as an adaptation measure to ensure the safety of the people living along the Sandakan coast. There is also a need to raise the bund and platform levels for jetties and slipways at the Marine Police Complex to avoid inundation. The estimated cost for the recommended adaptation measures is about RM18.25 million.
Citation
Nor Aslinda Awang, Amri Md Shah, Anizawati Ahmad, Yannie A. Benson, Mohd Radzi Abd Hamid. 2014. Sea Level Rise Impacts and Adaption Measures for Sandakan, Sabah. Digital NAHRIM Publication Repository.