Floods in New Zealand overnight have meant hundreds of people are now stranded in their homes. The floods have left New Zealanders scrambling for answers on how to stay safe.
New Zealand’s capital city Wellington was paralyzed by flooding on Tuesday as the South Island reeled from unprecedented rainfall. Around 400 people were evacuated from their homes over the past five days, but at least one person died and more than 24 were injured in the worst flooding on record.
New Zealand is in something of a crisis as heavy rains have caused flooding. Hundreds of New Zealanders have been displaced by a situation that only happens once every 100 years. Precipitation is a necessary evil, but when it exceeds the allowable limit, the situation becomes unbearable. Excessive rainfall causes flooding, making many areas difficult to access and isolating residents. The South Island province of Canterbury was hardest hit, and authorities had to organize the evacuation of at least 300 homes overnight. Sky News reports that several schools and offices have been forced to close. A state of emergency has been declared in the region. These statements follow similar ones made Sunday in neighboring regions. In February 2020, floods in New Zealand left hundreds of tourists stranded. Such incidents spoil the mood of those who have come to enjoy their holidays.
Roads and bridges closed due to flooding
Ashburton is located approximately 80 km southwest of Christchurch. Many roads were blocked here, and several bridges collapsed or were washed away by the floodwater. This has led to travel problems and damage to infrastructure. Sky News calls the mayor of the city. His name is Neil Brown, and he warned via social media that the river’s velocity is much higher than normal. He even told a media outlet that a large-scale evacuation could be carried out if the situation worsened. His words were: The rain really needs to stop so the rivers can sleep. In August 2018, flooding on the US East Coast caused residents to evacuate and travel was hampered by road closures. Floods can occur anywhere in the world and the consequences are similar.
Living in a mess caused by floods
The rains and floods in New Zealand have turned people’s lives upside down. In this case, flood waters inundate the land and cause damage in low-lying areas. Sometimes the force of the flowing water can uproot power poles and cut off the power supply. The Royal New Zealand Air Force has deployed helicopters to rescue people trapped by the floods. One of them was a man who took refuge in a treetop. The other involved an elderly couple who were stuck on the roof of their car. The authorities have warned the population about possible contamination of the water. The road closures make it difficult for people to get from one place to another. Sky News adds that a flood warning system has been activated due to rising water and the possibility of heavy rain in Canterbury. The Government has announced a fund to help flood victims in Canterbury. In May 2019, reports revealed that the UK was aware of the link between global warming and flooding and was developing plans to address it.
Excessive rainfall in New Zealand has caused flooding
According to 7News AU, New Zealand’s South Island has received up to 400 mm (15.7 inches) of rain in some areas. It was a natural disaster that caused rivers to overflow, leading to a large-scale evacuation of the population. Up to 100 mm (4 inches) of rainfall is possible. The weather service reports: The rain is expected to cause dangerous riverbeds and significant flooding. The rivers burst their banks and mass evacuations continue to take place to ensure the safety of the population. The authorities have assessed the situation and prepared contingency plans in case of a disaster. Ashburton is a city of 35,000 people, and if the Ashburton River were to burst its banks, it would mean massive evacuations. Some residents began to move on their own, fearing that the flooded rivers would burst their banks. You don’t want to wait until the last minute. The New Zealand Defence Force sent soldiers, trucks and medical equipment to assist local authorities. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
