Hydrodynamic assessment on the impacts of sea level rise at the Kelantan shorelines and delta, Malaysia

Abstract

Maritime coast has potential risk of being significantly prone towards sinusoidal magnitudes of Sea Level Rise (SLR) phenomenon, especially the low-lying coastal areas and river estuaries. Numerical model tools used to analyze the effect of sea level rise with scenario Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP8.5) chosen as the assessment parameters on Kelantan shoreline and delta areas. Primary physical oceanography data consist of tidal elevation, wave parameters, current properties and bathymetry were collected to support the model configuration. Numerical model result illustrated that Kelantan Delta, rivers, and low-lying areas adjacent to riverine will severely affected by higher sea level and current speed magnitudes. Average differences of tidal elevation and current speed ranging from 101 to 104% and 97 to 99% respectively. Projection on the inundation potential in the inland vicinities due to sea level rise are essential to delineate the affected territories and identify flood prone area. Based on the numerical findings, mitigation, adaptation, and awareness program could be outline in order to minimize the socio- economics impacts towards the local communities.