A state of emergency has been declared in the capital city of New Zealand, Wellington, following severe rain and flash flooding that have impacted the North Island.
Residents are grappling with the aftermath of record rainfall, with 77mm (3 inches) falling in under an hour today, according to Mayor Andrew Little. Footage circulating online depicts submerged vehicles, uprooted trees, and homes affected by landslides.
Local officials are urging residents to remain indoors as additional rain is expected over the next day and a half. Numerous flights at Wellington Airport have been canceled, and several schools have closed their doors.
Emergency services have evacuated more than a dozen individuals, while a 60-year-old man from the Karori neighborhood has been reported missing. Fortunately, no deaths have been confirmed at this time.
The latest round of flooding follows closely on the heels of Cyclone Vaianu, which swept through the North Island just last weekend.
Research indicates that climate change has contributed to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including floods.
“The severe weather persists. We’ve experienced flooding, landslides, and evacuations… The force of the flooding has been sufficient to displace cars, and numerous manhole covers have been dislodged,” Little stated in a video shared on his Facebook account.
In Kingston, one resident recounted an escape attempt on a neighbor’s motorbike after a landslide blocked a nearby road early this morning. “It’s definitely a significant event,” he remarked. “Being caught under it would not have been survivable.”
Another resident in Mornington described his garden as “completely overwhelmed with water; you couldn’t see any grass.” He noted a “massive flow, almost a river, coursing through the yard,” in comments made to Radio New Zealand (RNZ).
The Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Mark Mitchell, warned that the “most severe weather” was anticipated later on this evening. “If you are in the Wellington area, be ready,” he advised in a Facebook post. “If you need to evacuate, make those choices early and stay informed.”
The emergency management office for the Wellington region has recommended that residents postpone or avoid all non-essential travel and consider relocating to the homes of friends or family if they live in low-lying or flood-prone areas for at least the next 24 hours.
The Wellington City Mission has been established as a shelter for those in need during this crisis, according to officials.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong