The KwaDukuza Municipality has temporarily suspended bathing on all its beaches due to rough surf conditions. Picture: Supplied.
Durban — Rough surf conditions have resulted in the closure of KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM) beaches and a temporary suspension of swimming.
In a statement on Thursday, KwaDukuza Municipality spokesperson Sifiso Zulu said: “KwaDukuza Municipality has temporarily suspended bathing in all KDM beaches due to rough surf conditions.
“An evaluation will take place tomorrow, August 23.”
Zulu said the inconvenience the temporary suspension will cause to bathers is regretted.
“The municipality appeals to affected stakeholders to be patient as their safety cannot be compromised.”
This comes after the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) alerted residents to a cold front passing over southern KZN on Thursday, bringing strong southerly to south-westerly winds.
The South African Weather Service (Saws) issued a yellow level 2 warning for damaging winds and waves. Wind gusts of up to 70-80 km/h are being experienced between Port Edward and Richards Bay and are expected to extend further between Port Edward and Kosi Bay.
Weather and severe weather alerts for today, 22 August 2024.
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) August 22, 2024
Isolated rain and showers are expected along the east coast, but scattered along the south coast of the Eastern Cape. Otherwise, fine and warm conditions.
⚠️: Damaging winds & waves along the south & east coast. #saws pic.twitter.com/rLw753NMNh
These strong winds could lead to:
“We strongly advise residents to secure their homes and belongings. Small boat owners should avoid going out to sea, and beachgoers are urged to stay away from the water during this period,” said KZN Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila.
“Our Disaster Management teams are on high alert and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Meanwhile, Saws expects isolated showers to be confined to the eastern areas with damaging winds along the east coast on Friday.
⛅️🌧️Weather & severe weather alerts for tomorrow: 23 August 2024. Isolated showers are expected to be confined over the eastern areas with damaging winds along the east coast. #saws#weatheroutlook #southafricanweather pic.twitter.com/rI7FtIeBAT
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) August 22, 2024
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