The Balluta Bay sandy beach has disappeared as stormy seas hit the St Julian’s area over the past hours.

On 21 September, it was the rain that caused havoc, with rainwater ravaging the bay which, earlier in summer, had been replenished by sand that was dredged from the middle of the bay.

Today, it was the turn of the sea to cause the damage, as the strong currents from the east-north-east washed away what was left of the sand.

The Malta Tourism Authority last week issued a statement to say that it is monitoring the situation. But, given what happened last week and what happened today, questions rise whether the replenishing exercise that took place is worth repeating.