Dunes eroded away by spring high tides

THE relentless erosion of the coastline north of Alkantstrand continues, with last weekend’s ‘blue moon’spring high tides adding to the ongoing wearing away of the dune face.

While the profile of the dunes is a dynamic and ever-changing one, dependent on wind, wave strength and direction, there is no doubt that at least a couple of metres of the bank has again been lost.

Once more, the coastline is littered with trees, vegetation, rocks and clay that fell from the slumping dunes as water eroded their base.

And while it was a welcome relief to see the port dredger back in operation for the first time since lockdown, the amount of dredge spoil that will be pumped onto the beaches will have minimal impact.

The coastline is becoming ever less recognisable from three decades ago, when beaches were accessible by 4X4 vehicles and there were off ramps at 5-Mile and 9-Mile beaches.

It would now be impossible to drive up the coast from Alkantstrand, even at low tide.

Debris from the perimeter fencing that has tumbled down from above is among the rubble that litters the coastline.

History

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.