Pacific weather forecasters say that Cyclone Gita, which strengthened to a category five system earlier today, is likely to weaken slightly over the next 24 hours. Even before the storm hit in full force, heavy rains in the centre of New Zealand brought floods in Christchurch, prompting a warning from Mayor Lianne Dalziel. The plane will also carry a New Zealand government team to support the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku'alofa assess emergency needs and respond to requests from the Government of … Water sources were contaminated or cut and although Tongans are well used to cyclones, the damage wreaked by the category 4 cyclone had lasting psychological impacts as well as economic. Cyclone Gita hits New Zealand; emergency declared in southern city Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said troops had fanned out to areas likely to be the hardest hit and the national Civil Defence office in Wellington was on standby to help. Cyclone Gita is expected to crash into New Zealand on Tuesday evening and is on track to make landfall on the northwest of the South Island. The head of Tonga's National Emergency Management Office, Leveni Aho, said debris blocking roads was hampering a full assessment of the impact of Cyclone Gita there. A view of the damage to the Otūwhero Inlet, near Mārahau, after ex-Tropical Cyclone Gita barrelled through the Nelson-Tasman region in February 2018. By Reuters, Reuters Wellington. World News | Reuters | Wednesday February 21, 2018 . All airports in Tonga are currently closed due to damage and disruption following Tropical Cyclone Gita. Tevita Palu … On Saturday, Tropical Cyclone Gita is scheduled to pass south of New Caledonia before travelling south into the Tasman Sea. Fua'amotu International Airport on Tongatapu Photo: My Tongan - Online community. "Nobody likes getting a big bill from the plumber, but most … The record-breaking storm ripped roofs off homes, caused widespread flooding, and water & electricity shortages. Cyclone Gita could cause 12m waves in NZ. Here's what you need to know. Forecasters are warning of severe winds, torrential rain and sea surges in low-lying coastal areas. "This is really a way of saying we are going to own this problem and solve it. Together with support from the New Zealand Government, Oxfam and TNYC are growing seedlings and distributing seeds to 800 farmers to help recover their livelihoods. Now, Holdom wants to spend more than $300 million sorting it out. Some, like Cyclone Gita a couple years ago, can retain the look and power of a cyclone during this process. Photo: RNZ / Logan Church. The passage of Gita is expected to bring a period of high-impact severe weather to central New Zealand. MetService issued a storm warning for the area, with swells of up to six metres in Tasman Bay and winds up to 90km/h … Find out the latest on our live blog, Fiji. Severe gales with damaging gusts are expected, so people are … The owner of Real Tonga Airways said there was no power at Fua'amotu International Airport on Tongatapu, where the airport buildings have sustained some damage and there is significant flooding. ... Westland District Council has placed its Emergency Operations Centre on standby in preparation for cyclone Gita. Cyclone Gita is on track to hit New Zealand some time next week - here's what you need to do to prepare. 17 Feb, 2018 12:35 AM Quick Read. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is urging people to plan ahead and consider delaying road travel in areas likely be most impacted by Cyclone Gita. The storm system is the remnants of Cyclone Gita, which last week ripped through the Pacific nation of Tonga, destroying homes, churches and the historic Parliament House. Ex-cyclone Gita was shown on Aljazeera NZ midnight news weather report with a short video clip of a flooded stream flowing over a road down South & brief commentary on wind damage & rainfall – mentioned a record 24-hour rainfall for Kaikoura. Every single tropical cyclone loses its warm core just as it approaches NZ. We’re responding through our local partner to help with the relief and recovery effort. The Ōtāhuhu-Mangere Youth Group and Ōtāhuhu Rotaract group are receiving donations of clothing and non-perishable food over the next three days. Heavy rain will cause slips, rapidly rising streams and rivers, and flooding. Risk areas are yet to be identified- they will be earmarked closer to Gita’s arrival – but MetService says the tropical cyclone is likely to bring with it “highly impactful severe weather”. New Zealand has begun cleaning up after being hit by the remnants of Cyclone Gita, which damaged buildings and left thousands without power. Updated: Feb 20, 2018, 10:23 IST. New Zealand is being battered by cyclone Gita after the tropical storm devastated the Pacific island nations of Fiji and Tonga last week.. Cyclone Gita, currently located over the Tasman Sea, is forecast to track southeastwards and cross central New Zealand late Tuesday and early Wednesday. Tropical Cyclone Gita is edging closer to New Zealand bringing potential power cuts, road closures, flooding and wind damage next week. NZ groups send emergency supplies, will help constuct homes. To donate to New Zealand NGOs now: Habitat for Humanity's Cyclone Gita Emergency Appeal will support shelter and rebuilding. Press release 13 February: New Zealand to assist following Cyclone Gita (external link) A C130 Hercules is transporting family hygiene kits, shelter kits, jerry cans, and tarpaulins from New Zealand. Community groups and humanitarian organisations in New Zealand are calling for donations to help Pacific countries hit by Cyclone Gita. Water tankers were deployed in New Plymouth after ex-Cyclone Gita damaged a crucial water pipe. Additionally, the SAFEY team also made sure all pertinent information was relayed timely. A STATE of emergency has been declared across large parts of New Zealand as locals are left stranded, tourists trapped and the military called in as ex-Cyclone Gita wreaks havoc across the country. Others, fall apart. There is a lower risk of severe gales for the rest of the North island, excluding the East Cape. Here in Tawa, apart from steady rain from yesterday midnight until about 3pm – when it eased off to light showers that ceased sometime early … Communications cut to Ono-I-Lau and Vatoa islands, restored Thursday at earliest ; No doctors on Vatoa and Ono-I-Lau; Those islands thought to have been hit by 275km/h winds and storm surges, other Southern Lau group and rest of … Tropical cyclone Gita has moved away from Fiji but it has lashed the Southern Lau islands. No deaths were attributed to the cyclone, however assessments indicated that over 2,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. Our partner in Tonga is … Cyclone Gita hit the Pacific island nations of Fiji and Tonga last week, packing … Prepositioning of equipment and staff across the Westland district is … Cyclone Gita, which caused havoc in Tonga last week and was upgraded to category five as it eyed uyp New Zealand, leaving the island in the storm's "firing line". WeatherWatch has advised people to postpone any non essential … 2 This report on the findings and recommendations from an assessment of the needs of people with disabilities on Tongatapu following Tropical Cyclone Gita in February 2018, has been prepared by Katabwena Tawaka and Simione Bula of the Pacific Disability … Besides strong winds, heavy rainfalls and coastal flooding, we sent alerts with information that contained evacuation efforts of city-dweller, rescue teams operations, and the flight and on-ground disruptions … A house in Ruby Bay. The low-lying … As the region cleans up after Cyclone Gita, New Zealand's Climate Minister says scientists may need to create a sixth category for cyclones as climate change creates more extreme weather events. Such was the case when Cyclone Gita struck in February this year. 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