WATCH: This is how the Durban community will come together to clean up beaches
The devastating pictures and videos have inspired the community to make a plan...
Our beautiful blue flag beaches have been struck with tragedy.
Pictures have surfaced online of their current state - and it doesn't make for pleasant viewing.
As a result of the flooding, the beaches have been tarnished with an immeasurable amount of rubbish.
See some of these heart-breaking images below:
These provoking images have us all in awe at the force of nature and human influence.
Durban resident, Emma Ditcham, shared her experience this morning: " When we arrived we were shocked and emotional to see how much rubbish had washed up onto the beach and I really hope that as a community can stand together and clean up our beautiful beaches."
Similarly, it is no wonder that when holidaymakers saw this wreckage, they decided to lend a hand...
Read More: WARNING: Severe KZN weather causing emergencies, flooding
After speaking with a member in a notary position in Umhlanga, the following was advised on the clean-ups: "Due to the past few days of persistent rain causing major flooding along the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, the coastal beaches have been decimated by solid waste deposits caused by major pollution of our rivers.
"Although the municipality is extremely thankful to the public for cleaning the beaches, it also poses a warning that the e-coli and enterococcus levels will be extremely high and pose a health hazard, therefore a well-planned clean-up will go ahead from Wednesday utilising large trucks, bulldozers, and municipal workers. We encourage all to safely participate under safe conditions - gloves and PPE will be provided. Thank you."
Other members of the Umhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club came to the rescue by heading down to assist, but after analysing the situation and current state of affairs, have advised that they will not urge members to engage in a clean-up but rather wait until it is safe to do so along with the correct protection.
Watch the scene below:
Umhlanga residents addressing the state of the beach and what their plans are going forward... pic.twitter.com/30wJDnEpAR
— ItsGoingViral (@ItsGoingViral1) April 12, 2022
Another young member of the community, Luca Botha, has taken to his Instagram to shed light on the current beach situation and has urged his friends to assist when it is safe to do so.
Due to neglect of the beaches in the past, it has resulted in the closure of beaches for extended periods of time. Members of the community want to address this issue as early as possible in order to prevent this from occurring.
Listen to Luca share his sentiments with us below:
This isn't the first time that we have seen the community come together. On Monday, we saw how the Umdloti community rose to the occasion when it came to helping one another.
Read More: Umdloti community band together in a time of severe weather crisis
We thank everyone in the community who has stepped up and we are hoping to hear many more stories like these in the coming days.
"Alone we are a drop, together we are an ocean."
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Image courtesy of Emma Ditcham