Beaches north of Durban are closed to the public due to environmental and potential human health impacts of a chemical spillage, the eThekwini Municipality said on Friday according to IOL.
Following a chemical spill, beaches north of Durban up until the Tongaat river mouth are closed until further notice. Umgeni beach is pictured above.
The beaches north of the Umgeni estuary up to the Tongaat River are also closed due to the contamination of the uMhlanga estuary. According to the KZN municipality, extensive environmental impacts are being reported at uMhlanga and uMdhloti Lagoons. that have killed numerous species of marine and birdlife.
Clean-ups are currently underway to deal with the spill, originating from a chemical warehouse fire in Umhlanga following the recent unrest.
Several residents in North of Durban report smoke residue from the already burning chemicals, evident from the odour in the air when the wind blows in their direction. In the meantime, residents are advised to close windows and doors and put wet clothes over vents as a precautionary measure.
Another report has urged residents on beaches between Durban and Ballito to not collect dead marine life. Fish and crayfish are some of the marine life that has washed up onshore. These animals will have to be collected and burned as to not affect others in the food chain.
Picture: Flickr Commons
