New Zealand has declared a state of emergency in its capital city Wellington as torrential rain and flash flooding drenched the country's North Island. Footage online shows vehicles submerged, trees uprooted and houses hit by landslides. Wellington received a record 77mm (3in) of rain in less than an hour on Monday, as per mayor Andrew Little. Local authorities advised residents to hunker down, with rain forecast for the next day and a half. Some flights at Wellington Airport have been cancelled and several schools have shut their campuses. More than a dozen people have been evacuated while a 60-year-old man in the Karori suburb has been reported missing, although no fatalities have been reported so far.
This series of flash floods comes shortly after Cyclone Vaianu swept through the North Island last weekend. Studies indicate that climate change has contributed to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events around the globe. The wild weather continues. We've had flooding, slips and evacuations... The flooding has been strong enough to move cars, and many manhole covers have been lifted, Little stated in a video posted on social media.
In Kingston, a resident shared his experience of trying to escape on the back of a motorbike after a landslide buried a nearby road. Another resident in Mornington described his inundated garden, saying it was like a river flowing through his yard. Mark Mitchell, the minister for emergency management, has warned residents in the Wellington region to prepare for more severe weather. The Wellington City Mission has opened its doors for those needing shelter, urging residents to stay updated and prioritize their safety.
This series of flash floods comes shortly after Cyclone Vaianu swept through the North Island last weekend. Studies indicate that climate change has contributed to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events around the globe. The wild weather continues. We've had flooding, slips and evacuations... The flooding has been strong enough to move cars, and many manhole covers have been lifted, Little stated in a video posted on social media.
In Kingston, a resident shared his experience of trying to escape on the back of a motorbike after a landslide buried a nearby road. Another resident in Mornington described his inundated garden, saying it was like a river flowing through his yard. Mark Mitchell, the minister for emergency management, has warned residents in the Wellington region to prepare for more severe weather. The Wellington City Mission has opened its doors for those needing shelter, urging residents to stay updated and prioritize their safety.
