New Zealand declares national emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle lashes North Island

14-02-2023 : A state of emergency was declared on Tuesday in New Zealand as residents struggled to deal with the devastation left by Cyclone Gabriel. Signing the declaration Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty said, this is an unprecedented weather event that is having major impacts across much of the North Island. He said, this is a significant disaster with a real threat to lives of people as they are facing extensive floods, damaged roads and infrastructure. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said that it was the country’s biggest weather event in a century.

Pictures show huge devastation across New Zealand. The deadly cyclone has swept away roads, inundated homes and left more than 1,00,000 people without power. Some stranded people were airlifted from their rooftops by military helicopters. Several homes have been destroyed and people were seen on the roads and clearing the debris.