New Zealand declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday after cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread flooding, landslides, and huge ocean swells, as reported by the news agency Reuters.
This is only the third time in New Zealand history that a national state of emergency has been declared, Xinhua news agency reported.
The cyclone has forced people to evacuate and some people are left stranded on rooftops. Emergency preparations are underway as power outages, flight cancellations, and school closings are happening in six North Island regions, including Auckland.
Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty after signing the declaration Tuesday morning said, "This is an unprecedented weather event that is having major impacts across much of the North Island."
According to McAnulty, this declaration will provide the government the ability to help the impacted people and areas, offer additional resources when required, and assistance in establishing priorities for the response across the nation.
He said, "A national state of emergency gives the National Controller legal authority to apply resources across the country in support of a national level response,"
It was just two weeks ago, when record-breaking rainfall and flooding swamped Auckland and the nearby region of Waikato.
In order to protect their houses, save food and water, and be ready for any required evacuations in the coming days, the administration has advised locals to make sandbags. Numerous sandbag stations have been set up across Auckland overnight. The locals have been urged to prepare their own sandbags for extreme situations.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has urged people to "take the severe weather warning seriously" and "stay at home, cancel all unnecessary travels."
The New Zealand government had on Monday announced an 11.5 million New Zealand dollars ($7.25 million) Community Support Package to assist those affected by the recent flooding and their for preparations to respond to the cyclone. Over 25,000 individuals have received assistance in form of food, clothes, shelter, bedding, and medication.
According to Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni, many families are experiencing anxiety and distress due to the significant disruption caused by the floods and impending cyclone. People have lost their homes and vehicles, and families are having additional difficulties getting their children back to school.
The government has put in place numerous ways of support to improve the emergency response in Auckland, including the package announced on Monday.
(With inputs from IANS)