New Zealand assesses damage as Cyclone Gabrielle weakens

New Zealand has started to assess the damage caused by significant flooding, landslides and high winds that left four people dead and displaced thousands from their homes as Cyclone Gabrielle moved away from the country.

Gabrielle, which reached New Zealand on Sunday before making its way down the east coast of the North Island, cut off entire towns, washed away farms, bridges and livestock, and inundated homes, stranding people on roof tops.

“Our immediate focus has been undertaking lifesaving missions for those affected by the floods who needed to be rescued,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Wednesday at a televised media briefing, adding that all people stranded on roofs by floodwaters have been rescued.

“Please don’t return to your homes until you have been given the all clear to do so,” he said, warning that the situation remains dangerous even as the weather improves.

Hipkins confirmed on Wednesday that four people had died including a volunteer firefighter who responded to a call out and was caught in a landslide on Monday.

With around 1,400 people unaccounted for since the cyclone crisis began, Hipkins said roughly 1,100 have been reported found and there is likely to be considerable crossover between the two lists.

Also Read: New Zealand Flooding: Precautionary State of Emergency Declared

However, he added that police hold “grave concerns” for several missing people.

Residents in hard-hit areas are now being asked to conserve water and food because of fears of shortages after the cyclone forced New Zealand on Tuesday to declare a national state of emergency for only the third time in its history.

Authorities estimate more than 9,000 people have been displaced so far, with around 3,000 housed in temporary shelters.

New Zealand’s Defence has deployed over 700 personnel along with four aircraft, seven helicopters and two naval ships to help rescue those stranded by the floods and deliver essential supplies to isolated towns, Hipkins said.

Both domestic and international flights have resumed though airline schedules maybe disrupted for several days, Auckland Airport said in a tweet on Wednesday morning.

Zainab Sa’id