New Zealand’s prime minister on Sunday warned residents to hunker down and prepare an evacuation plan as a cyclone began pummelling the northern tip of the country.
Cyclone Gabrielle is forecast to envelop the upper half of the North Island over a 48-hour period from Sunday evening, two weeks after parts of the same region experienced devastating flooding.
Auckland remains under a state of emergency after flash floods swamped the city on January 27, resulting in four deaths and forcing thousands from their homes.
Debris from that deluge remains on the streets of the country’s biggest city, which now faces another bout of heavy rainfall and severe winds.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said everyone should be ready to face the threats posed by flooding, huge ocean swells and strong winds.
“Our main message to people across the country is to please take the severe weather warning seriously and to make sure you’re prepared," he told journalists.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)