Thousands of New Zealanders were ordered to evacuate their homes on Saturday as Cyclone Vaianu moved toward the country’s North Island, prompting warnings of dangerous coastal flooding and landslides.
The storm is forecast to bring heavy rain and winds of up to 130 km/h (80 mph). Authorities said it was expected to make landfall on Sunday before tracking west of the remote Chatham Islands on Monday, according to the country’s weather forecaster.
Officials warn of hazardous conditions
As Vaianu approached, emergency authorities urged residents in vulnerable areas to leave early, reflecting concern about the cyclone’s potential impact on low-lying coastal communities and unstable terrain. Heavy rainfall can quickly worsen river levels and trigger slips, while strong winds raise the risk of damage to homes, power lines and other infrastructure.
The warnings came as New Zealand prepared for a severe weather event that could affect a wide area of the North Island. Coastal flooding was among the main concerns, along with landslides in regions already exposed to saturated ground.
Path toward the Chatham Islands
Forecasts indicated that after crossing near the North Island, Vaianu would continue west of the Chatham Islands, a remote group of islands east of New Zealand’s mainland. While the storm was expected to move on after Sunday, its effects were still likely to be felt across affected regions over the following days.
Authorities have not yet indicated the full extent of the damage, but the combination of heavy rain and strong winds has led to precautionary evacuations and close monitoring of the cyclone’s path.
New Zealand regularly faces severe weather from tropical and extra-tropical systems, and officials have urged people in threatened areas to follow evacuation instructions and stay alert to further updates as Vaianu approaches.
