Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, declared a state of emergency on Monday (April 20) in response to continuous heavy rainfall in the Wellington region. At the same time, the New Zealand Meteorological Department raised the rainstorm warning for Wellington and the Wairarapa region to red, and this warning is expected to remain in effect until Tuesday evening.
According to various media reports, early Monday morning saw extreme heavy rainfall hitting Wellington, resulting in severe flooding in some urban areas and numerous suburbs. Several landslides occurred in the surrounding areas, causing damage to houses and forcing residents in some areas to evacuate.
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little stated that the city received a record-breaking 77 millimeters of rain in less than an hour, marking it as the most severe rainfall event on record.
The severe weather conditions have significantly impacted the city’s operations and public safety. As of now, the New Zealand Fire and Emergency (FENZ) has responded to over 150 weather-related distress calls in the capital region.
Local police issued a statement reporting that a house in a Wellington suburb was washed away by flooding, leading to the disappearance of a man in his sixties. Currently, the police are conducting search and rescue operations.
The local meteorological department warned that the ongoing rainfall may result in rapid rises in river levels, severe flooding, and landslides, posing a threat to public safety. Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas are urged to evacuate early to ensure their safety.