AUCKLAND, Jan 29 (NNN-XINHUA) – Four people died during the Auckland severe weather since Friday, confirmed the New Zealand Police today.
The record rainfall and severe weather in Auckland from Friday has caused massive flooding across the country’s largest city.
The New Zealand Police has now confirmed that four people had died, during the severe weather event since Friday.
While clear-up and damage assessment works have been under way, severe weather is continuing in the region. Civil Defence has put Heavy Rain Watch for Auckland from this morning through until tomorrow morning.
The country’s national meteorological service, MetService, said that, another weather system would move into Auckland and Northland in the next few days, while severe weather watch was still in place for upper North Island.
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Carmel Sepuloni, said today that, the government’s priority is to make sure that Aucklanders are safe, housed and have access to support services.
Since Friday, Auckland recorded a historical rainfall volume with 249 mm of rain in 24 hours until 1:00 am Saturday. A state of emergency was declared for Auckland and nearby Waitomo.
The record rainfall has also forced the closure of State Highway 1 and the Auckland Airport.
At least 5,000 Auckland properties were assessed for flood or landslide damage.
The previous 24-hour record of rainfall in Auckland was 161.8 mm, dating back to Feb, 1985, according to MetService.– NNN-XINHUA
