WEB DESK
In New Zealand, the deadly flood emergency continued today after heavy rainfall hit the country’s north island, causing landslides, flash floods and knocking out roads. At least three people have died and one is missing after New Zealand’s largest city experienced its wettest day on Friday.
The nation’s weather forecaster, MetService, warned of more severe weather across Auckland until Tuesday. The MetService said that intense rainfall could also cause surface and flash flooding.
New Zealand Climate Change Minister James Shaw said, Climate change is causing heavy rainfall to become more common and intense, though the impact varies by region.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms and rain are set to continue in Auckland and Northland during the day, with new downpours forecast for Tuesday.
Forecasters warned an active line of thunderstorms could create localised downpours of 50 to 90mm of rain, and there was also the possibility of extreme downpours of 150mm north of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
On travel, slips, flooding, and cracked roads have seen multiple state highways in the upper North Island remain closed.