General
Wild weather in New Zealand leaves 1,000 tourists stranded
Almost 1,000 tourists were stuck in the New Zealand tourist town of Franz Josef on Monday after torrential rains closed roads.
Several washouts and landslides north and south of the township, located near the Franz Josef glacier, have blocked roads in both directions and the only way in or out is by helicopter.
The civil defence said it was likely that the road would not open before Friday.
In the meantime, they would fly in enough food and supplies for those who are trapped in the town.
“We’re a bit stunned today and it’s fair to say it’s extremely bad news for our tourism sector,” Westland District Council Mayor Bruce Smith told local media outlet Stuff, confirming that about 970 tourists were stuck in Franz Josef.
Elsewhere the South Island, flood damage on the Rangitata Bridge, on State Highway 1, cut off Christchurch from Timaru.
Lakes at tourist hotspots Queenstown and Wanaka burst their banks earlier in the week, causing road closures and businesses to shut.
In the first week of the month, South Island already received three times December’s average monthly rainfall.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research recorded 872,000 lightning strikes around the country and in the waters offshore since Friday.
NAN
-
Sports13 hours ago
Ancelotti confirms Arda Guler’s stay at Real Madrid
-
Politics11 hours ago
Ibadan residents defy curfew amid LG polls
-
News13 hours ago
‘Disbursement ongoing’, FG gives update on N50,000 grants
-
Entertainment13 hours ago
Ex-BBnaija star Miracle graduates with distinction from aviation school
-
News11 hours ago
Yahaya Bello: EFCC confirms refund of $760,000
-
Entertainment13 hours ago
Doris Simeon reveals struggle working odd jobs to survive in US
-
health11 hours ago
Japa: 58,000 doctors renewed licences in 2023, says medical council
-
News9 hours ago
Lagos cracks down on illegal occupants of Agege railway lines