Powerful Winds Leave Tens of Thousands Without Power in the Island Nation
Powerful gales hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 households lacking electricity and led agencies to cancel more than 100 aircraft departures, as reported by domestic outlets.
The gales are impacting the whole southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have issued rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing residences mainly in the South Island, although officials say that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have stated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being hit by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into moving cars on a street by a powerful blast, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been halted due to the winds, whereas certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Simultaneously local leaders have announced a crisis declaration, to support disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Alongside Severe Weather
The wild winds on today coincide with many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the severe conditions has pressured them to change certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting Australia, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have issued fire bans for fear of forest fires.
