Cyclone Gabrielle lashes Auckland; homes evacuated and flights disrupted
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A landslide caused by continuous bad weather as Cyclone Gabrielle approaches Auckland on Feb 12, 2022.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WELLINGTON – Tens of thousands of homes in New Zealand were without power on Monday and hundreds of flights have been cancelled as a tropical storm lashed the north of the country.
A state of emergency has been declared in five separate regions on the North Island, covering almost one-third of New Zealand’s entire population of 5.1 million.
Although Cyclone Gabrielle was downgraded as it approached on Sunday, it has already toppled trees, damaged roads and downed power lines.
Many schools and council facilities across Auckland and the upper North Island have closed and people are being asked not to travel if possible.
New Zealand’s Wellington-based Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was among thousands stuck in the northern city of Auckland after the wild weather grounded flights.
“Things will get worse before they get better,” Mr Hipkins told New Zealanders in a press conference on Monday, calling for them to “be prepared, stay inside if you can”.
He said the government had considered declaring a national state of emergency for only the third time in the country’s history – but it was not yet necessary.
However, the government has announced an aid package of US$7.25 million (S$9.7 million) to help in recovery efforts.
Police said one person was missing aboard a boat, which issued a distress call early on Monday near Great Barrier Island, north of Auckland.
Winds of up to 140kmh battered the Northland region, while Auckland’s Harbour Bridge was rocked by gusts of 110kmh.
Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty said Monday would be a difficult day owing to the highly dangerous combination of high winds and heavy rain.
Meanwhile, some 58,000 people, mostly in the north of New Zealand, were without power on Monday afternoon.
Mr McAnulty said it was unsafe to try and repair the network while the dangerous weather continued.
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and home to 1.6 million people, is still recovering after flash floods in late January forced thousands from their homes and resulted in four deaths.
“Many people haven’t been able to catch a break,” Mr Hipkins said.
“The need in the community is significant. The effects of the weather events have compounded that.”
Waves crashing onto the land as tides rise in Auckland on Feb 13, 2022.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The weather has caused chaos throughout New Zealand’s travel network, with scheduled flights, trains and buses grinding to a halt.
National carrier Air New Zealand said it had so far cancelled 509 flights, but normal services are expected to resume on Tuesday.
The airline said the travel plans of some 10,000 international customers had been disrupted. AFP
