New Zealand: Severe weather prompts power outages, flight disruptions April 10

Event

Severe weather - including heavy rain, high winds, and snowfall - has prompted power outages and flight disruptions in New Zealand on Tuesday, April 10. As of Tuesday morning (local time), some 12,000 properties reportedly remained without power in Taranaki region. Associated flight delays and cancelations have notably been reported at Auckland Airport (AKL), New Plymouth Airport (NPL), and Palmerston North Airport (PMR).

According to the New Zealand MetService, heavy rain is forecast in central and northern parts of the country through late on Tuesday - particularly in Taranaki, Whanganui, Taihape, and the Tararua Ranges - and may cause flooding. High winds are forecast to affect much of the North Island and the upper South Island until early on Wednesday; heavy snowfall in the Canterbury High Country and Kaikoura Ranges is forecast to taper off beginning on Tuesday afternoon. Further power outages and transportation disruptions are possible in the abovementioned affected areas in the coming hours.

Advice

Individuals in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of weather alerts and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities. In the event of flooding, remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.