Cyclone Batsirai: Beaches north of KZN closed for precaution
Beaches on the north coast have been closed in anticipation of Cyclone Batsirai that's been moving southwestwards over the Indian Ocean.
The KwaDukuza Municipality says the KZN Sharks Board began removing all shark safety gear from protected beaches on Thursday morning.
"It was therefore taken the decision to close the beaches in order to protect lives and the unnecessary loses or damage to council equipment during the weekend as we anticipate strong winds and heavy seas associated with this tropical cyclone," says municipal spokesperson Sipho Mkhize.
The category 4 storm is expected to make landfall in Madagascar this weekend, before hitting Mozambique early next week.
READ: Cyclone Batsurai injures 12 on France's La Reunion island
The South African Weather Service says it's too early to determine if South Africa will be affected by the cyclone.
Batsirai passed Mauritius on Wednesday, dumping heavy rain and packing winds of up 120 kilometres per hour.
It knocked power out in thousands of homes.
On Reunion, Batsirai has left at least 12 people injured.
The Indian Ocean island has been placed on red alert, with the president warning residents the worst is not over.
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