WATCH | Rough seas wreak havoc in Marsalforn, affecting shops 50m away from shore

CCTV footage from a cafe in Marsalforn shows extensive damage to shops as far as 50 metres from the coastline due to strong winds and rough seas.

The CCTV footage is from Coffee Circus Joy in Marsalforn, which is situated around 50 metres away from the coastline. However, it’s relative distance from the coastline did not protect it and surrounding shops from damage to its outdoor furniture.

The footage, from 1:33am early Friday morning, shows a strong tide sweeping outdoor furniture across Triq il-Wied. In the morning, shop owners woke up to furniture pieces sprawled across the road.

John Aldhouse, the owner of Coffee Circus Joy, said this is the third time in the last couple of weeks that extreme weather caused damage to the outdoor furniture of his and neighbouring shops.

“We are around 50 metres from the seafront, down Triq il-Wied. So far, the damage has been fairly limited, and we have seen other businesses, particularly on the seafront, suffer much heavier damage.”

His shop has generally been able to continue operating despite the damage, except for one day’s closure during Storm Harry to protect staff. However, he said he is worried that the worse weather is to come. “This kind of weather seems to be becoming more frequent and more violent. Climate change is real and is a real threat to everyone. We are experiencing it right now.”

Outdoor furniture from other shops in the area were sprawled across the street, carried away by the sea and wind (Photo: John Aldhouse)

Sharing the footage on Facebook, public health expert John Paul Cauchi warned that extreme weather events are becoming more common as a result of climate change. “Storm Harry was severe, but it will be a ‘normal’ storm over the coming decades as climate change accelerates.”

He said climate change will have a tangible impact on people’s lives, whether as a threat to food security, economy, or general way of living.

“Businesses will be ruined. Coastlines destroyed. Crops ruined, our food security subjected to ferry shipments. Bays once enjoyed by the public forever transformed (Għar Lapsi). Landmarks decimated. Events - such as Carnival - will be subjected to increasing risk and possible cancellation, as will festas due to extreme heatwaves and freak weather.”

He lamented the political silence on the issue, saying politicians only talk about climate change when it’s in their favour. “Suffice to say that with Malta having just 10-15% of its energy from renewables and our coastal flooding becoming an experienced issue by many (Marsaskala, especially) their words sound like a record from a bygone era.”

Cauchi pointed out that extreme weather events are being experienced worldwide, and Malta should lead small island states internationally in demanding climate action. “Where the hell are our politicians? Where are you Robert Abela? What are they afraid of?”