WELLINGTON, April 11 — New Zealand’s national forecaster has warned of a potentially “life-threatening” situation as Cyclone Vaianu approaches the North Island, bringing the risk of destructive winds, heavy rain and widespread flooding.
WELLINGTON, April 11 — New Zealand’s national forecaster has warned of a potentially “life-threatening” situation as Cyclone Vaianu approaches the North Island, bringing the risk of destructive winds, heavy rain and widespread flooding.
The tropical cyclone is expected to make landfall tomorrow, with residents in low-lying and coastal areas—vulnerable to rising sea levels, intense rainfall and winds of up to 130kmh—advised to evacuate as a precaution.
According to MetService, wind speeds exceeding 100kmh had already been recorded on Saturday.
“The combination of damaging winds, heavy rain and coastal inundation makes this a multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event,” it said, noting that the severity of the impact will largely depend on the cyclone’s path.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in several densely populated parts of the North Island, including Tauranga, where landslides earlier this year claimed eight lives.
Flood warnings have also been issued for Auckland, with emergency officials urging the public to avoid unnecessary risks.
“This is not the time for sightseeing or taking chances. Closures are in place to protect lives and must be respected,” said emergency operations controller Gareth Wallis.
In Whakatane, hundreds of residents, including those from coastal areas like Ohope Beach, have evacuated following official orders.
MetService has issued its highest-level red wind warnings for regions including Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, and the Coromandel Peninsula. — AFP
WELLINGTON, April 11 — New Zealand’s national forecaster has warned of a potentially “life-threatening” situation as Cyclone Vaianu approaches the North Island, bringing the risk of destructive winds, heavy rain and widespread flooding.
KOTA KINABALU, April 11 — Sabah currently has only about 2,884 doctors, far below the estimated requirement of 9,000, highlighting ongoing challenges in meeting the state’s healthcare needs.
JAKARTA, April 10 — Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia has set up a new state-owned entity to speed up investment in waste-to-energy projects, amid rising demand for more sustainable waste management solutions.