Wellington: Four people died in rain-related incidents as torrential downpour led to massive flooding new zealandAuckland City. Record rain and inclement weather in Auckland since Friday has caused massive flooding in the country’s largest city, Xinhua news agency reported.
While cleanup and damage assessment is underway, severe weather continues in the area. Civil Defense has monitored heavy rain in Auckland from Sunday morning to Monday morning.
The country’s national meteorological service, MetService, said another weather system would move over Auckland and Northland over the next few days, while a severe weather watch was still in place for the upper North Island.
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni said on Sunday the government’s priority was to ensure Aucklanders were safe, housed and had access to support services.
From Friday, Auckland recorded a historic amount of rain of 249 mm in the 24 hours until 1:00 pm on Saturday. A state of emergency has been declared for Auckland and nearby Waitomo.
Record rain has also closed State Highway 1 and Auckland Airport.
At least 5,000 Auckland properties were assessed for flood or landslide damage.
According to MetService, the previous 24-hour rainfall record in Auckland was 161.8 mm, dating back to February 1985.