Severe winter storms batter New Zealand by Kaye Forster
After a hot and humid weekend across the UK, thoughts are turning to BBQ’s and trips to the beach. However, spare a thought for the people of New Zealand. The winter season has well and truly set in here over the past few days. A winter storm has caused chaos to many areas across both the North and South Islands.
An intense area of low pressure developed quickly over the Tasman Sea during the weekend and marched steadily into the South Island during Sunday. The storm brought heavy snowfall and gale force winds to many parts, and there were even reports of a tornado in the west coast town of Greymouth.
The snow has come with some pros and cons. Up to 15cm of snow have fallen in south Canterbury, which has coincided with the start of the ski-season. However, several buildings have collapsed under the weight of the heavy snow in the eastern town of Timaru. Many roads have also been blocked.
In the capital, Wellington, the winds reached 80mph, ripping roofs from houses and buildings, and tearing down power-lines. Thousands were plunged into darkness and left without electricity.
The snow also caused disruption to flights from Christchurch International airport. The airport was closed for several hours, which left hundreds of passengers stranded. Phone systems and traffic lights have also been disrupted causing traffic chaos.
Further north the snow turned to torrential rain. Several landslides have been reported across the North Island, and flash flooding has damaged many homes.
In the northern city of Auckland, power was cut to more than half of the houses and businesses in the city. Officials have stated that ‘restoring power to all parts of New Zealand’s largest city will take some time’.
The storm is now moving out into sea so things should calm down again over the next few days.
Meanwhile, the hot and humid weather in the UK has also brought some stormy weather. Severe thunderstorms have pushed northwards across the West Country, the Midlands, and northeast England. Here too things should settle down over the next 24 hours. It will become dry, sunny and a bit fresher over the next few days with highs around 21C – 25C.
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