SYDNEY - A state of emergency was declared in New Zealand’s biggest city Auckland on Friday as torrential rains caused widespread flooding and evacuations, closing the city’s airports and forcing organisers to cancel a scheduled concert by Elton John. 

Auckland’s Mayor Wayne Brown declared a state of emergency due to the extent of the “damage, displacement and disruption” caused by the weather and the need for response agencies to draw on more powers. 

Auckland Emergency Management said in a post on Twitter that northern, north-western and western parts of the city were affected by significant flooding, with conditions expected to worsen.

The agency advised residents in flood-prone areas to prepare to evacuate and opened an evacuation centre in West Auckland.

Videos on social media showed firefighters, police and defence force staff rescuing stranded people from flooded homes using ropes and rescue boats. No details were immediately available on how many people had been evacuated so far.

Major roads were also blocked off by the floods, causing long traffic queues on highways.

Police said they were working with Fire and Emergency New Zealand to respond to calls and asked people to stay off the roads if possible. 

Auckland Airport closed both the domestic and international airport due to widespread flooding. Images on social media showed the check-in area in the International Terminal knee-deep in flood water.

The airport said it would halt domestic and international flights until noon on Saturday as it asked fliers to get in touch with their airlines for the latest information on flights.

British musician Elton John’s concert in the city, which was expected to by attended by about 40,000 people, was also cancelled.

“Given the weather, tonight’s show has been cancelled. Our operations team is working to redirect special event buses to help get people back home... as soon as possible,” Auckland Transport said in a statement on Twitter. REUTERS, BLOOMBERG