New Zealand: Three dead and one missing after heavy rains in Auckland
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced on Saturday that unprecedented heavy rains led to the deaths of at least three people and the loss of another in Auckland, the most populous city in New Zealand.
A preliminary toll from the Auckland floods in New Zealand, resulting in at least three deaths and one person missing.
Unprecedented heavy rain fell on the city on Friday, turning the streets into rivers. A state of emergency was declared and the airport was closed. The damage is significant in some areas.
Police said two bodies were found in the northern suburbs and a third victim died in a landslide near central Auckland.
A fourth person who was swept away by floodwaters south of Auckland is still missing.
The local airport, the largest in the country, partially reopened on Saturday after being temporarily closed. The domestic terminal is accessible again but international flights should not resume until Sunday.
For safety reasons, British pop star Elton John’s concerts, which were scheduled at Auckland Stadium on Friday and Saturday, were cancelled.
The waters had largely receded on Saturday afternoon after turning streets into rivers the day before, but heavy rain was expected again and Premier Chris Hipkins called on people to stay at home.
The Prime Minister said on Twitter that government services were “working hard” to provide assistance to the city and coordinate relief efforts.
Residents have been encouraged to only contact emergency services, which are overwhelmed with calls, in “life-threatening” situations.
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