Rapid coast erosion revives concerns in Richards Bay

THE battered Zululand coastline took another huge hammering during the recent storm surges, with metres of dune front again being lost under literal waves of attack.

In places, more than 10 metres of dune fell prey to the relentless ocean advance.

The damage is especially noticeable in the Caravan Park area north of Alkantstrand, where the stair walkway down to the beach has totally disappeared.

Palisade fencing along the entire area, including Imvubu Lodge, has also fallen down the cliff face and during a walk along the beach on Wednesday, work teams could be seen relocating the fencing further inland.

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Beaches are once more strewn with debris, including huge chunks of cliff face, casuarinas and palm trees, while concrete slabs and remains of buildings have tumbled down.

Previously unseen ledges are now evident on the beaches at low tide.

The combination of high swells, strong winds and spring tides, together with differing wave directions, contributed to the erosion.

On the positive side, the geobag defensive wall at Alkantstrand once again showed its value and strength, easily coping with the wave and wind forces and preventing damage to beach infrastructure.

Dredging over the past months, with sand spoil spread across the area, also added positively to the ability of the beach to withstand nature’s onslaught.

Danger warning

In 2013, the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs published a Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) fact sheet.

Their study encompassing the uMhlathuze, uMlalazi and uMfolozi municipalities, indicated that while most of the beaches are only at moderate risk from erosion, climate change and sea-level rise, the immediate section from Alkantstrand northwards is in serious danger.

Huge tidal surges during storms over the past years have seen mass disintegration and narrowing of the dune defence that protects the coastline.

According to the CVI, 42% of the 101km of the uThungulu (King Cetshwayo) coastline is at low risk, 53% at moderate risk and 4% at high risk.

That risk appears to be becoming increasingly greater, with the rate at which the dune front is collapsing suggesting urgent steps need to be taken.

Past reports by the CSIR have indicated that sections of Meerensee are below sea level.

Should the dunes be totally eroded and the ocean breaks through, there could be catastrophic consequences.