Cyclone Vaianu Causes Floods and Evacuations in New Zealand's North Island
Cyclone Vaianu has made landfall on New Zealand's North Island, bringing severe weather conditions including floods, power outages, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The cyclone crossed the coast near the Maketu peninsula, with winds exceeding 130 km/h (80 mph), heavy rainfall, and large swells. MetService has described Vaianu as a 'life-threatening' system, prompting emergency declarations and 'red' level wind warnings in several regions. Although Auckland, the country's largest city, has been spared the worst conditions, other areas are experiencing significant impacts. Authorities are actively managing evacuations and power restoration efforts, with the cyclone expected to continue affecting the region throughout the day.