Huge damage in New Zealand from cyclone “Gabrielle” – this video shows the devastation Strike paralyzes large parts of German air traffic

The heavy damage caused by tropical cyclone Gabrielle on New Zealand’s North Island has consequences for the entire country, according to the government.

Reason: The particularly affected region of Hawke’s Bay, with its many orchards and farms, is important for the country’s food security. “We have to prepare because this will affect parts of our food supply,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Friday after visiting the flooded area. “Today I saw with my own eyes the serious consequences ‘Gabrielle’ will have for our country.”

Meanwhile, the death toll rose to at least eight. The media even spoke of nine deaths in the afternoon – but there was no confirmation from the authorities initially.

The tropical storm had devastated large parts of the North Island with hurricane-force winds and heavy rain since the start of the week. Many houses, roads and bridges have been destroyed and power and communication lines have been damaged. In some places the water was so high that only the roofs of the houses were above the water. When the water receded, huge amounts of mud were left behind in many buildings. The government had already declared a national emergency on Tuesday – for the third time in the country’s history.

According to police, six of the fatalities died around Hawke’s Bay. Two firefighters were killed in a landslide near Auckland’s largest city. However, there is still great concern about some 4,500 people who cannot yet be reached, according to the emergency services. Because communications with some cut off areas continued to be cut off. Tens of thousands of people have also been without power for days. “There are so many breaches in the system that it won’t be easy to fix them,” said Emergency Management Secretary Kieran McAnulty.

Evacuation orders were issued in the village of Muriwai on Friday. There was a risk of landslides, Auckland’s emergency service reports on Twitter. Residents were asked to immediately get to safety, leave everything behind and only bring their pets. Most evacuation centers are already full.

In the northeastern Pacific state town of Gisborne, drinking water was scarcely available after the local sewage treatment plant collapsed due to the flooding. “This is a major crisis, our city has no water,” the local civil defense said. “Don’t open your taps.”

Naval ships, Air Force transport planes and truck convoys were en route to remote areas. According to military spokesman Darryn Webb, 700 soldiers were deployed, with more standing by to assist in the coming days. Rescue teams tried to reach several communities further cut off from the outside world due to impassable roads. Australia sent a team of specialists to help search for missing persons. The task for New Zealand is huge given the scale of the disaster, Hipkins stressed. (sda/dpa)