WATCH: Gale force winds batter Alkantstrand and northern beaches

Trees slump into the sea as the already fragile coastal dune front suffers further collapse

3 hours ago

Dave Savides 1 minute read

More trees will surely fall at the next high tide

The gale force winds that howled over the past week left considerable beach damage in their wake.

Storm surges, crashing waves from an angry sea and high tides combined to leave a trail of destruction at Alkantstrand and further up to the northern beaches.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Alkantstrand beach rehabilitation under way

On Monday morning, there was evidence of numerous trees that had slumped into the sea as the already fragile coastal dune front suffered further collapse.

A virtual plantation of palm trees line the water at Alkantstrand, where other coastline damage is clearly evident
Photo: Erwin Kruger

The beach itself, despite tonnes of replenishment dredge spoil having been pumped in over the past months, was again stripped of sand, exposing old cables and pipes, and shifting the heavy sandbags that form part of the geobag defensive wall.

Dune collapse also saw concrete waste bins and other items sacrificed to the relentless ocean waves.

There was drama on Friday afternoon when a young woman attempting to collect sea water at Newark beach ended up on the dolosse but escaped serious injury as lifeguards intervened.

@zululand_observer
WATCH: A week of gale force winds and high tides once again wrought havoc on the coastline at Alkantstrand, sweeping away months of accumulated dredge spoil and eating into the dune front, sending trees tumbling and exposing rusted old pipelines
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