With rough seas and extremely cold weather expected today, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has issued a safety alert for all water users along the coast in the Western Cape as an intense cold front has made landfall.
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This comes as NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, appealed to the public to be cautious this weekend.
‘We are appealing to shoreline anglers, boaters, commercial seafarers and coastal hikers to be aware of rough sea conditions and the impact of forecast weather affecting the coastline and inland. Boaters and commercial seafarers should not launch in adverse weather conditions, unless absolutely necessary and where life jackets when your vessel is underway or during commercial operations at sea. Shorleine anglers and coastal hikers should be aware of the daily two high tides and two low tides and be cautious along the shoreline.’
On Friday, head of the Western Cape’s disaster management service, Colin Denier, said that teams were preparing for heavy rains, strong coastal winds, low temperatures and snowfall.
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Spokesperson for the Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, Wouter Kriel told the SABC, ‘We are specifically concerned about areas in the Overstrand and the Garden Route Districts and also concerned around snowfall in high-lying areas. We are requesting that people should rather postpone plans for outdoor activities this weekend. We have also met with Cape Nature and with other stakeholders to consider the possible closing of routes where people might be walking this weekend.’
The NSRI says it is on alert to respond to incidents of coastline flooding.
Extreme sport enthusiasts are advised by Lambinon not to participate in risky activities on the weekend.
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Picture: Pexels / Ray Bilcliff