The New Zealand government declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, February 14, across the archipelago hit by a violent cyclone which deprived 225,000 people of electricity and caused floods and landslides.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall battered the North Island, home to more than three-quarters of the country's five million people, overnight Monday into Tuesday in what Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said. called "New Zealand's most significant weather event this century".

"The consequences are significant and are widespread," he said.

"The severity and damage we are seeing has not been seen in a generation."

Houses were damaged by falling trees or invaded by mud and rubbish.

Some inhabitants thus found themselves totally isolated, the roads being cut following landslides or floods.

According to local media, people had to swim from their homes.

Some had to walk through flooded streets, others were forced to shelter in place.

This cyclone caused wind gusts of up to 140 km/h, an accumulation of precipitation of up to 20 cm in 24 hours and waves of eleven meters.

At least 2,500 people had to evacuate their homes, Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty reported.

Several areas are inaccessible by road and without electricity or telecommunications.

Some 225,000 people do not have access to electricity, according to energy suppliers and the government.

The main road linking the capital Wellington to Auckland, the country's largest city, is closed.

Soldiers were deployed to assist with evacuations.

"Cascading Natural Disasters"

"These are unprecedented bad weather conditions that are having a huge impact" in the north of the country, said Kieran McAnulty, with "large-scale flooding, landslides, damaged roads and other infrastructure".

It is only the third time New Zealand has declared a state of emergency, following the Christchurch bombings in 2019 and the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.

"This is a major disaster (which represents) a real threat to the lives of New Zealanders," warned the minister, adding that a national state of emergency was declared for seven days.

He said further rains and strong winds are expected on Tuesday, complicating relief operations.

"Emergency services are working day and night, but unstable soils, flood waters and closed roads complicate matters."

A firefighter is missing and another is in critical condition after a house collapsed in West Auckland, according to the fire and rescue services.

The cyclone grounded planes and airline Air New Zealand said travel for some 35,000 of its international customers was disrupted, with more than 600 flights cancelled.

However, airports are gradually reopening.

The Prime Minister pledged 11.5 million New Zealand dollars (6.8 million euros) for repairs.

Auckland, which has a population of 1.6 million, is barely recovering from flash floods that killed four people in late January and forced thousands from their homes.

According to the New Zealand meteorological organization MetService, Auckland airport has recorded 48% of its annual rainfall during the past 45 days.

New Zealand has entered an era of "cascading natural disasters, fueled by climate change", which sees the consequences of repeated severe weather events build up over time, according to disaster reduction specialist Christine Kenney. risks at Massey University.

With AFP

The summary of the

France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 app