New Zealand declares state of emergency in Wellington as floods hit

Wellington under water as torrential rain triggers a state of emergency, with widespread flooding and landslides forcing evacuations. | Contesto: cronaca

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• New Zealand declares state of emergency in Wellington as floods hit

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The New Zealand government declared a state of emergency for the Wellington region on Tuesday as catastrophic flooding from torrential rainfall submerged vehicles, uprooted trees, and triggered destructive landslides into homes. The unprecedented deluge, described by officials as a one-in-100-year event, overwhelmed the capital's infrastructure, cutting off major roads and prompting urgent evacuations in several suburbs. Emergency services reported hundreds of calls for assistance, with swift-water rescue teams deployed to reach stranded residents as rivers burst their banks and stormwater systems failed. Dramatic footage circulating on social media and news outlets illustrated the scale of the crisis, showing cars almost entirely underwater on key commuter routes and murky, fast-flowing water inundating residential streets. In the hillside suburbs, sodden ground gave way, with landslides pushing debris through walls and windows. The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office has advised residents in at-risk areas to move immediately to higher ground or with family and friends, warning that further heavy rain is forecast. "The priority is life," a Civil Defence spokesperson stated. "If you feel unsafe, do not wait for an official evacuation order. Leave now." The declaration of a state of emergency, enacted under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, grants central and local authorities extraordinary powers to coordinate all available resources. This includes the ability to close areas, requisition property, and direct government agencies. It follows a local state of emergency declared by the Wellington City Council earlier in the day, which was swiftly escalated due to the rapid deterioration of conditions across the wider region. The New Zealand Defence Force has been placed on standby to assist with logistics and potential evacuations if required. This severe weather event is the latest in a series of intense storms to batter New Zealand's North Island over the past 18 months, raising urgent questions about climate resilience and infrastructure preparedness. Scientists have long warned that a warming atmosphere will lead to more frequent and intense...

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Categoria: cronaca