Monday 5 March 2012

Heavy seas as Irina causes chaos

Image: The Durban North Pier is buffeted by 8m to 10m swells

Tropical storm Irina, which struck the KwaZulu-Natal coast yesterday, might move on to parts of the Eastern Cape coast.

"A combination of very rough seas, marine storm surge and gale-force winds is likely to threaten the coastline," said police spokesman Colonel Vishnu Naidoo.

Commercial and recreational fishermen should be alert to the threat, he said, but the likelihood of more heavy rains was probably diminishing.

The weather will be continuously monitored and resources allocated to affected areas.

On Saturday, the SA Weather Service reported that Irina would bring heavy rainfalls over the extreme southern parts of Mozambique, Swaziland, Mpumalanga and the east coast of South Africa and there would be a risk of flooding.

"Very rough seas with wave heights in excess of 4m to 6m are expected from Richards Bay to Maputo, said SA Weather Service spokesman Hannelee Doubell.

The weather service said 183.4ml of rain had fallen in Mbazwana municipality, near Sodwana Bay, by yesterday morning, and Richards Bay had 245mm.

St Lucia resident Petrus Viviers said she had measured 227mm of rain by yesterday morning.

Others measured 249mm in Kosi Bay, 200mm in Lake Sibaya and 274mm in Sodwana. Heavy rain is expected throughout tonight.

Viviers said the area could cope with up to 300mm of rain but warned there could be "problems" if it hit the 400mm mark.

- Times Live

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