eThekwini ports, beaches face disruption as 80km/h winds hit - IOL

Strong winds of up to 80 km/h are expected to disrupt port and small-harbour operations, beachfront activities and coastal navigation in eThekwini on Monday. The municipality urged residents to take precautions.

Port and small-harbour activities, beachfront recreation and coastal navigation in eThekwini could be disrupted on Monday as damaging winds of up to 80 km/h are forecast along parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

This comes after the Yellow Level 2 warning issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

The warning is in effect on Monday, September 14, from 8am to 11.59pm.

The municipality said a strong high-pressure system is expected to generate strong northerly to north-easterly winds, with average speeds of 35 to 40 km/h and gusts of up to 80 km/h.

The municipality said the strong winds could have several impacts, particularly along the coast and in maritime areas.

Maritime operations: Port and small-harbour activities could be disrupted, with difficult navigation conditions and an increased risk of small vessels taking on water or capsizing.

Coastal and land areas: Beachfront activities could be disrupted, while localised structural damage could occur in both formal and informal settlements.

- Residents: Secure loose outdoor items, exercise caution when outdoors and remain alert to changing weather conditions.

- Motorists: Drive with extreme care, particularly on exposed routes and when operating high-sided vehicles.

- Beachgoers and coastal users: Avoid high-risk shoreline activities and strictly follow all maritime safety warnings.

“Municipal emergency response teams are on high alert to clear fallen trees, remove debris, unblock stormwater infrastructure, and render immediate assistance to affected communities.”

The city said it is monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates should conditions change.

Residents are urged to contact the City's Disaster Management Centre on 031 361 0000 in the event of an emergency.

The warning comes as SAWS warned people in several areas to brace for a wet and potentially disruptive start to the week, with heavy rain, severe thunderstorms and damaging winds forecast for Monday.

SAWS has issued a series of impact-based warnings for Monday, September 14, with the most serious being a Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rain over parts of the Western and Northern Cape.

Widespread rain and thunderstorms are forecast across large parts of the western and central regions of the country.

According to SAWS, there is an 80% chance of rain and thunderstorms across a broad area stretching from parts of the Western Cape into the Northern Cape.

A 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms extends across other parts of the Northern Cape and into the central interior, while parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have a 30% chance of rain.

Isolated showers are also expected over parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where the chance of rain is around 30%.

The Yellow Level 4 disruptive rain warning covers an area extending across parts of the Western Cape and into the Northern Cape.

The SAWS warned that the rainfall could cause flooding of roads and settlements and major disruption to traffic.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms has also been issued across parts of the Northern and Western Cape.

The storms could result in localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges, as well as localised damage to settlements in exposed areas.

A Yellow Level 1 severe thunderstorm warning is in place over a section of the Eastern Cape, where storms could damage settlements and temporary structures and cause localised interruptions to electricity and communication services.

Strong winds will add to Monday's difficult weather conditions.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds covers a vast stretch of the interior, including parts of the Northern Cape, North West, Free State and Limpopo.

The weather service warned of possible localised damage to settlements.

Along sections of the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape coastlines, Yellow Level 1 and Level 2 damaging wind warnings are in place.

The Level 2 coastal warning includes a risk to the navigation of small boats and vessels, as well as possible disruption to small harbours, ports and beachfront activities.

Elsewhere along the affected coastline, damaging winds could cause localised damage to settlements, interruptions to power and communications, and difficult navigation conditions.