WEB DESK
The death toll due to Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand climbed to 11 today, February 19, as thousands of people remained missing a week after the storm struck the country’s North Island.
The cyclone hit the North Island’s uppermost region on the 12th of February inflicting widespread devastation. Rescue and recovery efforts are continuing, with teams from Auckland Council carrying out rapid building assessments on damaged homes in the coastal areas of Muriwai and Piha.
Emergency authorities and military dropped critical supplies via helicopter to people stranded in different locations.
Prime Minister Hipkins has said that the crisis response is still underway while people across the North Island are working around the clock.