New Zealand officials warn more flooding could hit north island as man killed after heavy rain | New Zealand
New Zealand’s weather bureau has warned of more flooding on the country’s North Island, a day after flooding caused power outages, road collapses, evacuations and the death of a man whose car was submerged on a highway.
The weather bureau said there was “dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and danger to life due to slips” as a deepening low pressure system in the east of the North Island brought heavy rain and severe storms to several areas.
After heavy rain began hitting large parts of the country on Friday, causing flooding, the worst weather was forecast to occur late on Sunday, followed by conditions gradually easing on Monday, the website said.
Authorities declared a state of emergency on Sunday in the Waipa and Otorohanga regions, a farming region home to about 10,000 people 180 km (112 miles) south of Auckland, the country’s most populous city.
Energy company Powerco’s website said approximately 4,291 properties were without power in the North Island.
A man died Saturday when floodwaters washed over his car and about 80 people were evacuated to an emergency center, authorities said. In the images shared on social media, it was seen that large semi-rural neighborhoods were flooded and sections of roads collapsed as the flood waters receded.
In many parts of the world, extreme precipitation is becoming more common and more intense due to human-caused climate disruption. especially in EuropeMost of Asia, central and eastern North America, and parts of South America, Africa, and Australia. This is because warm air can hold more water vapor. Flooding in these places likely became more frequent and severe as a result, but was also influenced by human factors such as the presence of flood defenses and land use.
In January, six people died on Mount Maunganui on the east coast of the North Island after a landslide caused by heavy rains buried dirt and debris packed with families on summer holidays.
