WELLINGTON- Torrential rainfall and flash floods in New Zealand’s South Island left tourists stranded for several days and forced residents to evacuate.
Rivers are overflowing, power supply cut and a state of emergency have been declared by the civil defence in the area. People have been instructed to evacuate immediately from low-lying regions.
This week, approximately 500 tourists had been airlifted by rescue teams in Milford Sound after rains cut access to the area. Along with tourists, hotel staff have also been stuck in the area.
Gore and Mataura people have been told to evacuate at the soonest. Residents of Riversdale and Wyndham were told to prepare for evacuation. On Wednesday, police teams went door to door to make sure people were actually evacuating.
Farmlands remain underwater and state highways remain shut. Farmers were warned to shift their livestock too.
It could be several days before the water level in the rivers return to normal.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.