New Zealand authorities order thousands to evacuate ahead of tropical cyclone

New Zealand authorities on Saturday declared a state of emergency in several areas of the North Island and ordered thousands of residents to evacuate their homes in preparation for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Vaiano, which is expected to reach its peak impact on Sunday.

The New Zealand Meteorological Service reported that the cyclone is accompanied by strong winds reaching speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour, with expectations of heavy rainfall leading to coastal flooding and landslides, noting that wave heights could reach 13 meters in the affected areas.

The evacuation orders included parts of the coastal city of Wakatane, where the local council urged residents to be cautious and stay away from low-lying areas for at least two days, while New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxemburgo urged citizens to prepare for the potential effects of the cyclone.