Authorities and residents of seashore properties in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have begun the process of cleaning up and assessing the damage caused by the massive surf that pounded the province’s coastline on Monday.
Swells recorded at between 6m and 8m dissipated on Tuesday morning. National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the swells had dropped to between 2m and 3m.
The South African Weather Service confirmed this. Weather forecaster Ivert Choltz said: ”The sea is quite rough still, but it will certainly calm down this afternoon [Tuesday]. It looks fairly good for the next couple of days and all will turn to normal again.”
On Tuesday morning, numerous vessels were seen leaving port in calm sunny weather. Durban port authorities told South African Broadcasting Corporation radio news that the harbour was open to small vessels but still closed to larger incoming traffic and that 31 vessels were waiting to come into port.
Lambinon said there were no further reports of damage or loss of life.
On Monday evening police reported that the heavy surf had claimed the life of one person at Shelley Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Zandra Hechter said the man, believed to be about 30, was one of the helpers who assisted in the launching of ski boats at the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club.
”It is further believed that he is one of the many homeless who live in the bushes along the beach and was caught by the unusual high tide.”
She said the evidence indicated that the man had drowned. An inquest docket has been opened. His body was found by a woman who was taking a walk on the beach.
KZN Premier Sbu Ndebele praised the province’s rescue services.
”Emergency services personnel including officials from the South African Police Service, ambulance services, provincial government, local government, the NSRI, as well as ordinary members of the public, all rallied together to ensure that the loss of life was minimised. For this we are extremely grateful to the people of KZN,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday morning.
Damage on the KZN South Coast was estimated to be in the region of half-a-billion rand, he said.
”As at the early hours of this morning, most of the affected areas in the province were reported to be back to normal. However, emergency services will remain on standby to monitor the situation. We also want to assure visitors to our province that we are working hard to ensure that the situation returns to normal”, said Ndebele.
During Monday’s storm thousands of people flocked to various points along Durban’s coastline to see the huge swells and several areas were cordoned off by authorities to prevent any tragic occurrence. — Sapa