Wellington, New Zealand – Torrential rains have plunged parts of New Zealand into chaos, triggering severe flooding, power outages, and emergency evacuations. The national weather bureau has issued red and orange warnings across multiple regions, with conditions expected to worsen late Sunday night.
A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday when a man drowned after his vehicle was swept away by floodwaters on a major highway. This heartbreaking event underscores the deadly risks posed by the relentless downpours. North Island’s eastern areas are bracing for more heavy rain and strong winds driven by a deepening low-pressure system.
Rivers are swelling dangerously close to or above flood levels, raising fears of slips and life-threatening inundations. The MetService warns that the peak of the storm could hit Sunday evening, with gradual improvements anticipated by Monday.
Authorities declared states of emergency in Waipa and Otorohanga districts, home to around 10,000 residents and vital farmlands, located 180 km south of Auckland. Power provider Powerco reported outages affecting 4,291 properties on the North Island.
Air travel has been severely disrupted, with Air New Zealand canceling all regional flights to and from Wellington due to gale-force winds. COO Alex Marron stated, ‘High winds prompted us to suspend operations from Sunday afternoon.’
Friday’s heavy rains already caused rivers to overflow, leading to road collapses and widespread blackouts. Social media images reveal submerged neighborhoods, buckled roadways, and desperate rescue efforts. About 80 people were relocated to emergency centers as the crisis deepens.
As cleanup efforts begin, experts urge residents to stay vigilant, avoid flooded areas, and heed evacuation orders. New Zealand’s battle against this extreme weather event highlights the growing impact of intense storms in the region.