Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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04 Feb 2022

Heavy weather warning for KZN

Tamlyn Head (Zululand Observer) Picture: Joint Typhoon Warning Centre

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a level 4 warning for disruptive rain, set to affect most parts of northern KZN.

‘Disruptive rain leading to localised flooding, displacement of affected communities and poor driving conditions is expected over some parts of KZN today,’ said SAWS earlier this (Friday) morning.

SAWS said a ‘significant amount’ of rainfall is expected. The impact of the heavy rains could include possible damage to roads and bridges.

Areas set to be affected are Hluhluwe, Jozini, Mandeni, Mthonjaneni, Mtubatuba, uMhlabuyalingana, uMhlathuze and uMlalazi.

Batsirai latest

While all eyes are on intense tropical cyclone Batsirai, the heavy weather forecast for this weekend is courtesy of a low pressure system moving up from the south. Batsirai made landfall on Mauritius earlier in the week and is expected to make landfall on Madagascar tomorrow evening.

As of 5 am today, Batsirai was located 191 km northwest of St Denis on the island of Reunion, having moved at a slow rate of 11 km/h over the previous six hours. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC), Batsirai will continue tracking west-southwest under the influence of the subtropical ridge until making landfall on Madagascar. After making landfall on Madagascar tomorrow, the system will continue tracking west-southwest across the island and enter the Mozambican Channel in about three days.

As with all tropical cyclones, Batsirai will lose a lot of its power once making contact with the Madagascar landmass.

‘Batsirai is expected to slightly intensify to 205 km/h (110 knots) in around 12 hours as the eye wall continues to constrict, and then decrease to 185 km/h (100 knots) at 36 hours as the western portion of the wind field begins to interact with land,’ said JTWC.

‘The system will decrease to 85 km/h (45 knots) as it crosses over land, and reintensify in the Mozambique Channel, reaching 100 km/h (55 knots) in 4 days.’

It is still too early for weather experts to forecast what impact, if any, Batsirai will have on South Africa.

 

Online Article