Top Posts
FG says desertification has disrupted livelihoods of over...
UN agency says deadly floods show need for...
NOA sensitises on climate change impact
UN climate change director calls for urgent action...
Environmental activist dismisses CoP meetings on climate change...
Trump administration says it won’t publish major climate...
Climate change: Stakeholders demand action on land use,...
Report: Climate change threatening global data centres
IMF warns climate change may deepen Nigeria’s debt...
Report: Death toll of European Heatwave 3 times...
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

Damage from Cyclone Gabrielle could exceed $8 billion, New Zealand govt says

by Segun Ogunlade February 20, 2023
written by Segun Ogunlade February 20, 2023
735

New Zealand government on Monday announced emergency funding to help in the recovery efforts as it said the final cost of the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle, which has left at least 11 people dead, could rise above $8 billion.

The cyclone which has inflicted widespread destruction hit the North Island’s northernmost region on Feb. 12 and tracked down the east coast in later days, leaving destruction in its wake. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said it was the biggest natural disaster the country has faced this century.

“The required investment to reconnect our communities and future-proof our nation’s infrastructure is going to be significant and it will require hard decisions,” said Hipkins at a news conference where he announced an emergency NZ$300 million ($187.08 million) cyclone relief package.

Thia came after the Finance Minister Grant Robertson, who has now been appointed Cyclone Recovery Minister in addition to his existing portfolio, earlier on Monday said the total cost to government could be similar to the NZ$13.5 billion (8.42 billion) it spent rebuilding Christchurch after the devastating 2011 earthquake.

As more relief and re-building funding from the government is expected in the coming days, the extant package provides NZ$250 million to fix critical roads across disaster hit regions, while another NZ$50 million in emergency support was set aside for businesses and primary producers.

Read also: FAO pledges to help Nigeria achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction target

The national state of emergency declared last week by the Prime Minister has been extended by a week to help the recovery and relief efforts and Police have confirmed 11 deaths in circumstances related to the cyclone, most of those have been in Hawke’s Bay in the North Island while about 2,200 people remains unaccounted for.

The number of deaths would likely rise, the country’s police commissioner Andrew Coster said when he featured on a television programme, adding that difficulty with communications is hampering efforts to make contact with affected people.

Recovery efforts are continuing with search and rescue teams still working in cyclone damaged areas, while power and telecommunications remain down for some homes. Roads are closed and people are reporting issues getting cash.

Story was adapted from Reuters.

Cyclone GabrielleEnvironmentFloodNew Zealand
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
FAO pledges to help Nigeria achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction target
next post
Nuclear dispute stalls ambitious EU climate diplomacy deal

Related Posts

UN agency says deadly floods show need for...

July 22, 2025

UN climate change director calls for urgent action...

July 18, 2025

Environmental activist dismisses CoP meetings on climate change...

July 18, 2025

Trump administration says it won’t publish major climate...

July 18, 2025

Report: Climate change threatening global data centres

July 14, 2025

Report: Death toll of European Heatwave 3 times...

July 9, 2025

Japanese Island evacuates residents after relentless earthquake

July 7, 2025

5.2 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

July 7, 2025

Trump shuts down U.S. website on climate change

July 7, 2025

Report: Absa’s Mauritius Unit to Nearly Quadruple Green...

June 30, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World