Police say two bodies have been found in Auckland’s northern suburbs and another person has died in a landslide near the city centre.
At least three people have died and one is missing after unprecedented torrential rains caused widespread flooding in Auckland, New Zealand’s most populous city, on Friday, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said today.
Auckland has been declared a state of emergency and, according to Hipkins, the city experienced its wettest day on record yesterday, Friday
Police said two bodies were found in Auckland’s northern suburbs and another person died in a landslide near the city centre.
Today’s flooding has left three people dead and another missing, Hipkins told a news conference, adding that “the level (of damage) in some areas (is) significant.”
The fate of a man who was swept away by the waters in south Auckland is also still unknown.
Auckland, New Zealand, declared a state of emergency after approximately 10 inches of rain fell in one day pic.twitter.com/uZH51IWbvT
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 28, 2023
The local airport, the country’s largest, which had been temporarily closed, partially resumed operations today. The domestic terminal is accessible again, but international flights are expected to resume tomorrow.
For security reasons, British pop star Elton John’s concerts scheduled to take place at an Auckland stadium yesterday, Friday and today have been cancelled.
The waters have largely receded today after turning the city’s streets into rivers yesterday, but heavy rain is expected again and Chris Hipkins has urged people to stay at home.
It is the first major event facing the government of Mr Hipkins, who on Wednesday replaced Jacinda Ardern, who resigned.
New Zealand’s new prime minister confirmed in a message on Twitter that government agencies are “working intensively” to provide assistance to the city and coordinate the actions of rescue teams.
Authorities have advised the public not to contact emergency services, which have been overwhelmed by calls, unless there is a “danger of death”.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
