After the devastating storms of recent weeks, New Zealand’s North Island has once again been hit by heavy rainfall and flooding. Nearly four weeks after massive flooding in Auckland, another record rainfall hit the largest city in the Pacific state and neighboring regions on Friday, as reported by Radio New Zealand. Police urged people to reconsider travel plans to avoid road hazards.
Some drivers were surprised by the bodies of water in their vehicles and had to be rescued by boats by emergency services, police said. Dozens of people sought refuge in evacuation centers. Several roads had to be closed after landslides.
Meteorologists warned that in the metropolis of Auckland with a population of 1.6 million and in other areas, as much rain is expected in a few hours as would normally be seen in two months. There were also severe thunderstorm and heavy rain warnings for the Northland region and the Coromandel Peninsula.
Warnings were also issued for new extreme rainfall in the wine region of Hawke’s Bay and the town of Gisborne, where tropical cyclone “Gabrielle” raged last week. There were evacuation orders in Esk Valley. Residents were told to take only their clothes and their pets and to leave the area immediately.
At least eleven people died over the course of “Gabrielle”. The damage is enormous. At the end of January, Auckland already experienced the wettest day since measurements began. Three people died. The city’s airport was also temporarily flooded. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
