Port of Richards Bay issues warning ahead of tropical storm ‘Eloise’

THE Port of Richards Bay has issued a safety warning ahead of the heavy rains and strong winds anticipated this weekend, owing to tropical storm ‘Eloise’.

Richards Bay Harbour Master, Gugu Dube said the port might have to evacuate some of the vessels which are on berths that are more exposed to strong winds.

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‘All ships are advised to keep a good watch and put additional moorings to ensure the safety of their vessels,’ said Dube.

According to the South African Weather Service, Eloise is, as of this (Friday) afternoon, classified as a severe tropical storm, but is expected to intensify, reaching tropical cyclone status at about 6pm this evening just before making landfall near Beira, Mozambique.

This will result in excessive rain and winds of 160km/h near the centre of the cyclone.

SAWS forecasts Eloise to become an overland depression in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Eloise will approach the southeastern parts of Zimbabwe tomorrow, resulting in scattered thunder showers over the eastern parts of Limpopo.

The overland depression is expected to reach the Limpopo/Zimbabwe border on Sunday morning, persisting into Monday.