New Zealand has declared a state of emergency in its capital Wellington as heavy rains and flash floods inundated the country’s North Island.
In view of the torrential rains, residents of low-lying areas have also been directed to leave their places and move to temporary shelters on Monday as rain is expected for the next one and a half days.
According to media reports, the deluge caused flash floods, causing road closures and landslides in the city’s central business district and southern suburbs.
New Zealand Police said in a statement that a search was underway for a man living in a flooded property in the suburb of Karori.
Apart from this, some schools have also closed their campuses and flights have been canceled at Wellington Airport in view of the adverse weather conditions.
A record-breaking 77 mm of rain fell in less than an hour in Wellington, Mayor Andrew Little reported.
“The wild weather continues. We have had flooding, slips and evacuations… flooding so severe that cars have been shaken and several manhole covers have been removed,” Little said in a video published on his Facebook page.
Residents are advised to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and find suitable transfer for at least the next 24 hours.
Additionally for the convenience of the people, the government has established the Wellington City Mission for those who need help and shelter.
