THE Lake St Lucia estuary mouth breached naturally on Friday due to the high levels of water in the Mfolozi and Msunduzi rivers caused by the recent heavy rains.

It was reported that the mouth opened at 10am on Friday following the week’s heavy rains which swelled the rivers and raised ongoing back-flooding issues for nearby farmers.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Mfolozi River swollen after rains, raises ongoing back-flooding issue

Farmers adversely impacted by the back-flooding from both rivers lamented the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s (DFFE) decision to disallow dredging, which was viewed by some stakeholders as a way to alleviate the inundation.

On 18 November 2024, iSimangaliso Wetland Park filed an appeal against the DFFE’s refusal of its application to dredge the inundated Msunduzi and Mfolozi river flats.

The breaching of the mouth has for a number of years been a topical issue raised in discussions on how to address the ecological and socio-economic challenges arising from back-flooding.

Meanwhile, by Wednesday last week, farmers from kwaSokhulu affected by the Msunduzi and Mfolozi rivers complained severely about the damage caused by the back-flooding to their crops.

Below video taken by Jeff Asher-Wood/Fat Bike Fishing

Below video taken by iSimangaliso Wetland Park

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