Two weeks after a record-breaking storm submerged the country’s largest city and killed four people, New Zealand’s national airline has cancelled dozens of flights as Aucklanders prepare for a deluge from Cyclone Gabrielle.
All domestic flights to and from Auckland as well as many international flights will be cancelled, Air New Zealand announced on Sunday.
Although some international flights may need to be diverted through Auckland, the airline said some international routes would continue to run. Additionally, the airline cancelled domestic flights to and from Hamilton, Tauranga, and Taupo.
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Cyclone Gabrielle was already affecting the northern part of New Zealand on Sunday. On Monday, it was expected to dump up to 250 millimetres of rain on Auckland. Gabrielle’s windspeed was earlier downgraded as the cyclone slowed. Gusts of about 130 kilometres per hour were expected.
Weather forecaster MetService said it was expecting a “widespread and significant” weather event, with heavy rain, strong winds and large waves.
“Please do take this seriously. We do expect severe weather is on the way,” New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told reporters. “So please make sure that you’re prepared. Make sure that you’ve got preparations in place for either if you have to stay put for a period of time, or if you have to evacuate.”
Story was adapted from TRT World.
