Auckland floods: Death toll rises as New Zealand hits heavy rains and landslides | New Zealand
The death toll has risen to four after heavy rains continued to ravage New Zealand’s North Island, causing landslides, flash floods and road collapses, and missing people were confirmed dead.
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city of 1.6 million people, was hit by rain for the first time since Friday and was placed under a state of emergency on Sunday. I warned you it would get worse. Heavy rainfall can also cause surface and flash floods, he said.
The focus of the emergency then shifted south, with the Waitomo district, about 220 kilometers (137 miles) from Auckland, declaring a state of emergency late Saturday.
Police have confirmed the death of a man who went missing after being swept away Friday in the rural village of Wanwelo, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Auckland.
“The most terrible thing is that we lost our lives,” Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Ceproni told reporters in Auckland.
Climate change is making heavy rains more common and intense in New Zealand, although the impacts vary by region. Climate Change Minister James Shaw mentioned the link to climate change on Saturday when he tweeted his support for those affected by the floods.
My heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the AKL floods 💚
Thank you community leaders @Richard Hills_ @_chloeswarbrick & others for sharing important updates.
This is climate change.
We all have a responsibility to make sure New Zealand is a safe and livable place to leave our children.
— James Shaw (@jamespeshaw) January 28, 2023
On Sunday, police said they were helping with traffic management and road closures in the area after heavy rains “caused numerous slips, floods, and road damage.”
Police said there was also “extensive flooding” in the nearby Bay of Plenty, with landslides destroying homes and threatening properties in the neighborhood.
Thousands of facilities remained without power and hundreds had no water, officials said.
However, Air New Zealand said the airline’s international flights to and from Auckland will resume from noon on Sunday (2300 GMT on Saturday).
On Saturday, less than a week into office, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins toured flood-hit homes after flying a helicopter over Auckland. He described the effects of the city’s flooding as “unprecedented” in recent memory.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/29/auckland-flooding-death-toll-rises-as-new-zealand-hit-with-more-heavy-rain-and-landslides Auckland floods: Death toll rises as New Zealand hits heavy rains and landslides | New Zealand
