News

Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power In New Zealand

Thousands of homes in New Zealand were without power and flights were grounded Monday as a tropical storm lashed the north of the country.

Emergency management minister Kieran McAnulty said it would be a “critical day” due to the “highly dangerous” combination of high winds and heavy rain.

Although the storm has weakened from its previous cyclone status, it has already toppled trees, damaged roads and downed power lines.

A state of emergency has been declared in five northern regions including Auckland.

Some 58,000 people in New Zealand’s North Island are without power.

Officials warn it could take days to restore the network.

“As long as the weather continues to be as severe as it is, it’s actually unsafe” to work on the network, McAnulty said.

New Zealand’s largest city – home to 1.6 million people –  is still recovering after flash floods last month caused four deaths and forced thousands from their homes.

Winds of up to 140 kilometres (87 miles) per hour battered the Northland region, while Auckland Harbour Bridge was rocked by gusts of 110 kph.

McAnulty said the government is considering declaring a national state of emergency for only the third time in the country’s history, “but we may not have to”.

The weather also wreaked havoc on New Zealand’s travel network, with flights, trains and bus schedules all badly affected.

Air New Zealand said they had so far cancelled 509 flights, but normal services were expected to resume Tuesday.

The airline said 10,000 international customers were disrupted, with 6,500 left to be rebooked.

Sources: AFP

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

30 Years, One Icon: Three Decades of Magic with Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza Live in Concert This July!

Fans of Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza are in for an extraordinary treat as Malaysia’s most… Read More

1 day ago

AEON Launches Reforestation Project In Segamat To Continue Legacy Of Malaysia-Japan Friendship Forest

Building on the success of the Malaysia-Japan Friendship Forest Programme in Bidor, Perak, AEON is… Read More

1 day ago

A Milestone Celebration: 20 Years of the World’s Biggest Duathlon

The highly anticipated POWERMAN Malaysia celebrated its 20th anniversary milestone this year, with OMODA |… Read More

1 day ago

Ready or Not, Here Comes the Final Chapter of Squid Game and YOU Can Be A Part of History

Ready or Not, Here Comes the Final Chapter of Squid Game and YOU Can Be… Read More

1 day ago

Students Donate 5,000 Clothes with UNIQLO to Help Refugee Youth

What happens when a global fashion brand teams up with a school full of big-hearted… Read More

2 days ago

Shopee’s 7.7 Squad Pulls Up: 2,000 Affiliates, 80 Brands & One Big Mission “Shop Lagi Murah, Lagi Cepat”

Picture this: 2,000 creators. 80+ brands. One giant house party for all things content, community,… Read More

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.