Fierce Gales Cause Tens of Thousands Without Power in New Zealand
Powerful gusts reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled authorities to call off in excess of 100 flights, according to regional news sources.
The winds are impacting the entire South Island and lower areas of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in key areas such as these major districts.
People have been advised to stay indoors, stay off roads, and get ready for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting households mainly in the southern region, although officials say that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was swept into moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the urban area have been cancelled because of the winds, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have announced a state of emergency, to assist emergency management operations.
Strike Action Amid Severe Conditions
The wild winds on today come as tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the severe conditions has forced them to modify some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or called off.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have issued fire bans for fear of bushfires.
