Fierce Winds Cause Tens of Thousands In the Dark in New Zealand
Intense winds hitting speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced authorities to call off more than 100 air travel services, as reported by regional news sources.
The gales are affecting the whole southern region and southern sections of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have announced uncommon severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in key areas including Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Measures
The power cut is primarily influencing households mainly in the southern region, though authorities report that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was swept into oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been suspended because of the gusts, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Simultaneously local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Strike Action Amid Severe Weather
The powerful gales on this day come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "mega strike", demanding better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Agencies have announced flame prohibitions for fear of wildfires.