Damaging waves expected in some parts of SA. Image: iStock
WARNING: SAWS issues weather alert for damaging waves
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a severe weather alert for damaging waves that might occur in some parts of SA.
Damaging waves expected in some parts of SA. Image: iStock
A severe weather alert has been issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for Monday’s damaging waves between Plettenberg Bay and Richards Bay.
“The damaging waves are expected to result in localised disruptions to beachfront activities, localised disruption of small harbours and/or ports, difficulty in navigation of vessels at sea, and small vessels being at risk of taking on water and capsizing,” SAWS said.
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What happened in Western Cape Saturday?
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) advised citizens in the coastal regions of the Western Cape to use caution on Sunday since a high spring tide was anticipated. It led to homes being washed into and cars being swept away along the shore as waves crashed over railings.
A 93-year-old woman was carried off her feet in the Southern Cape’s Wilderness area and killed, according to the NSRI.
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In the Gordon’s Bay neighborhood of Bikini Beach, initial inspections revealed damage to eight residences garage doors, as well as sand and debris throughout the damaged areas.
Additionally, the St. James tidal pool has reportedly been damaged, with a lot of sand and pebbles being dumped in the passenger tunnels, according to information received by Cape Town city officials.
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What caused the damaging waves?
EWN reported, the National Sea Rescue Institute’s Craig Lambinon explained what exactly caused the extreme conditions: “So that is a spring tide together with a cold front, gale force winds and rough sea conditions. The unusual circumstance was that this particular effect was predicted to be experienced from Alexander Bay to up West coast, all around our coast, to north of KwaZulu-Natal. That’s something that is unusual.”
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