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New Zealand: The New Zealand government declared a national emergency on Tuesday after a tropical storm hit the North Island. This is the third time in New Zealand’s history that a national emergency has been declared. A state of emergency was imposed across the country’s North Island which has been battered by the Cyclone.
Cyclone ‘Gabriel’ has caused massive flooding and landslides in the North Island of New Zealand. Also sea waves are rising. Heavy rain and strong winds have left more than 40,000 homes without power in New Zealand, while hundreds of flights have been cancelled.
Country’s prime minister Chris Hipkins said, “It has been a big night for New Zealanders across the country, but particularly in the upper North Island … a lot of families displaced, a lot of homes without power, extensive damage done across the country.”
FLASH: New Zealand has declared a National State of Emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle has caused widespread flooding, landslides, and ocean swells across the island. This is the third National Emergency in NZ's history (2011 earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic).pic.twitter.com/JmyxLitPiQ
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) February 13, 2023
Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty signed the announcement after thousands of homes were without power due to heavy rain and strong winds. McAnulty said this is an unprecedented weather event which is having a major impact across much of the North Island.
Flood waters and landslides have cut off many settlements across the country, including some near the country’s largest city, Auckland. McNulty said this is a major disaster with a real threat to the lives of New Zealanders. He said more rain and strong winds were expected on Tuesday, hampering the efforts of emergency services. We are all facing widespread flooding, mudslides, damaged roads and infrastructure.
A weather station in the Hawke’s Bay and Napier region had recorded three times more rain overnight than what usually falls for the entire month of February, MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said.
Ferris told Australian Broadcasting Corp, “It’s going to be wet, sodden, devastation around there.” “We’ve seen the worst of the storm now,” Ferris added. “We’ve just got to get through today.”
Much of Auckland ground to a halt on Monday as train services were canceled, libraries and most schools were closed, and authorities asked people to make only essential trips.
Air New Zealand canceled all domestic flights to and from Auckland through Tuesday morning, as well as many international flights. Some international routes would continue operating, airline officials said, although they might need to be diverted from Auckland.
The carrier also canceled domestic flights to and from the cities of Hamilton, Tauranga and Taupo. In all, Air New Zealand canceled more than 500 flights. More than 10,000 international customers had been affected, the airline said, with thousands still to be rebooked.
