March 5, 2012: While later downgraded to a tropical storm, cyclone Irina wreaked havoc with northern KZN communities, as it dumped hundreds of millimeters of rain on parts of the province, with at least 150mm recorded in areas of Durban since the rain started on Saturday evening.
Massive waves, estimated at between 4m to 6m have pounded the coastline between Margate and Maputo, and visitors were warned to contact wildlife authorities before travelling to any of the game reserves in the northern parts of the province. It’s believed low lying bridges were under serious threat.
Durban’s beaches were crowded with onlookers, eager to see the impact of cyclone Irina as huge sets broke kilometers out and then pounded the piers at Durban’s central beaches. Water was washing on to the North Beach promenade.
The M4 northern freeway was closed at the La Mercy bridge and traffic diverted to Beach Road, as authorities grew wary of the rising water levels in the lagoon.
Rescue workers, emergency personnel and disaster management workers remained on standby as the storm continued to lurk over open water between Richards Bay and Maputo.
**YouTube video filmed by Anton Herrington, Tekweni TV Productions.