Wellington,
The powerful storm Gabriel hit the regions of New Zealand’s North Island last Monday. The storm hit 5 regions including Hawke’s Bay and Auckland.
As the storm crossed the coast, strong winds and heavy rain poured down. There was severe flooding in the water levels there. Subsequently, floods entered the towns.
Hundreds of houses were inundated as the flood engulfed residential areas. Many houses were swept away by the flood. And after the flood entered the houses, many people went to the roofs of the houses and took shelter.
Meanwhile, due to heavy rains and floods, terrible landslides occurred in many places. In this, buildings including houses were buried with soil.
Road traffic has been completely cut off in most places due to floods and landslides. This has made it difficult to rescue the people in the affected areas.
Following this, rescue operations have been accelerated by helicopters in places where road traffic has been cut off.
Officials said that 4 people, including a small child, were trapped in the flood and landslide and many others are missing.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister of the country, Chris Hipkins, said that this storm Gabriel has caused more damage in the country than in the last 100 years and 1/3 of the total population of the country has been affected.