Three KZN beaches closed amid fears of tropical storm but SAWS confirms SA is safe.

In light of concerns regarding the tropical storm Cheneso, the KwaDukuza Municipality has announced the temporary closure of Blythedale Beach, Thompson's Bay Beach, and Clarke Bay Beach.

The KZN Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence, according to KDM spokesperson Sipho Mkhize, has been following Cheneso's movements.

We anticipate that the size of the swell will increase as the cyclone moves south-east. According to Mkhize, "The municipality has therefore taken a precautionary measure to prohibit bathing at some of its beaches from Saturday until further notice in consultation with the KZNSB."

However, the SA Weather Service confirmed that although the storm does not pose a direct threat to South Africa, it is anticipated that Cheneso will follow a more southerly path, passing close to Europa island.

According to SAWS, numerical weather prediction models underpin its predictions.

"A so-called 'policeward and accelerating' track can be expected, allowing the system to transition into additional tropical waters of the south-west Indian Ocean," the forecaster stated. "The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts ensemble guidance suggest high confidence that Cheneso will not deviate much from the current predicted track and will start to adopt faster overall movement towards the south-east on Sunday and Monday."

According to SAWS, Cheneso is anticipated to temporarily intensify into a tropical cyclone by Saturday, with winds of 118 to 166 kilometers per hour.

A clearly defined "eye" should continue to be displayed by the system.

"Cheneso" has so far moved about in the eastern part of the Mozambique Channel, just off the Madagascar west coast.