In a groundbreaking move to improve beach safety, the South African Weather Service SAWS launched a cutting-edge rip current forecasting model on Thursday, 21 November 2024, reports Cape town Etc .
This pioneering system aims to help lifeguards, beachgoers, and emergency responders better predict and respond to dangerous rip current conditions, especially with the busy festive season approaching.
Rip currents, narrow yet powerful flows of water pulling swimmers away from the shore, are a significant threat to beach safety. With speeds of up to 2.4 meters per second, these currents are capable of sweeping even strong swimmers into deeper waters. Tragically, rip currents are responsible for many drownings in South Africa each year. In fact, Cape Town recorded 30 fatal drownings in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 beach seasons, a number that highlights the urgent need for improved forecasting and prevention measures.
Improving rip current detection and responseThe newly introduced forecasting model represents a major step forward in addressing the long-standing challenge of predicting rip currents. According to SAWS, before this development, South Africa lacked reliable systems to anticipate when and where rip currents would form. Now, with this model, six high-risk beaches along the Cape Peninsula will benefit from tailored forecasts that highlight the likelihood of rip currents forming based on real-time meteorological data.
The selected beaches-Blouberg, Milnerton, Fish Hoek, Monwabisi, Strand, and Kogel Bay-were identified due to their history of frequent rip current incidents. However, as SAWS Senior Manager Marine, Lebogang Makgati, explained, rip currents can occur at any beach, and the forecasting system aims to raise awareness along the entire coastline.
