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New Zealand announces state of emergency after devastating storm
(MENAFN) New Zealand has declared a state of emergency after a tropical storm hit the North Island, causing widespread damage and leaving tens of thousands of people without power. Emergency services have struggled to cope with the unprecedented natural disaster, which has caused extensive floods, landslides, and damaged roads and infrastructure. The storm has cut off many settlements across the country, including some near Auckland, New Zealand's largest city.
Architect Lars von Minden, who lives in Muriwai, a beach town on the coast west of Auckland, described the storm as one of the worst he has ever seen. "There are three or four areas where there are just these massive slips, some of them 300 metres across, that have come down, taking out houses and roads and everything," he said in an interview with Reuters.
This is only the third time New Zealand has declared a state of emergency, the other two being in response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks and the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. The national state of emergency will last seven days.
Floodwater and landslides have made rescue efforts difficult, and the unstable ground, floodwaters, and closed roads are making things hard for emergency services. The New Zealand Fire and Emergency services said a firefighter is missing and another is in a critical condition after a house collapsed in West Auckland. One person is also reported missing after a house slid down a hill in Hawke's Bay.
The storm has also had a significant impact on transportation, with flights grounded on Monday. However, Air New Zealand has said it expects some services to resume on Tuesday afternoon.
More rain and high winds are expected on Tuesday, which will hamper rescue efforts. The emergency services are urging New Zealanders to prioritize safety and think about the risks posed by the storm. The storm has caused significant damage and disruption, and New Zealanders will be working to recover from its effects for some time.
Architect Lars von Minden, who lives in Muriwai, a beach town on the coast west of Auckland, described the storm as one of the worst he has ever seen. "There are three or four areas where there are just these massive slips, some of them 300 metres across, that have come down, taking out houses and roads and everything," he said in an interview with Reuters.
This is only the third time New Zealand has declared a state of emergency, the other two being in response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks and the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. The national state of emergency will last seven days.
Floodwater and landslides have made rescue efforts difficult, and the unstable ground, floodwaters, and closed roads are making things hard for emergency services. The New Zealand Fire and Emergency services said a firefighter is missing and another is in a critical condition after a house collapsed in West Auckland. One person is also reported missing after a house slid down a hill in Hawke's Bay.
The storm has also had a significant impact on transportation, with flights grounded on Monday. However, Air New Zealand has said it expects some services to resume on Tuesday afternoon.
More rain and high winds are expected on Tuesday, which will hamper rescue efforts. The emergency services are urging New Zealanders to prioritize safety and think about the risks posed by the storm. The storm has caused significant damage and disruption, and New Zealanders will be working to recover from its effects for some time.
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