![\"New](\"https:\/\/i.ndtvimg.com\/i\/2016-10\/flood-generic_650x400_81476226051.jpg\"\/ "\\"New")
<\/div>\nThe New Zealand government declared a national state of emergency<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Wellington: <\/b><\/p>\n
The New Zealand government declared a national state of emergency Tuesday after a tropical storm lashed the North Island.<\/p>\n
Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty signed the declaration as tens of thousands of homes were left without power following heavy rain and strong winds.<\/p>\n
“This is an unprecedented weather event that is having major impacts across much of the North Island,” McAnulty said.<\/p>\n
This is only the third time New Zealand has declared a state of emergency — the other two were the 2019 Christchurch terror attacks and 2020 Covid pandemic.<\/p>\n
Flood waters and landslides have cut off many settlements across the country including some near Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.<\/p>\n
“This is a significant disaster with a real threat to lives of New Zealanders,” McAnulty added.<\/p>\n
He said more rain and high winds were expected Tuesday hampering efforts of the emergency services.<\/p>\n
“We are all facing extensive floods, slips, damaged roads and infrastructure.”<\/p>\n
The New Zealand Fire and Emergency services said a firefighter is missing and another is in a critical condition after a house collapsed in West Auckland.<\/p>\n
“It’s been a tough night for the North Island as a whole but it’s been especially tough for fire and emergency,” said Kerry Gregory, chief executive of the fire service.<\/p>\n
The freak weather grounded flights on Monday, but Air New Zealand have said they expect some services to resume on Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)<\/i><\/p>\n
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