Evacuation declared in New Zealand amid threat of Cyclone Vaianu

New Zealand has begun urgent evacuations due to the approach of Cyclone Vaianu.

Thousands of people on the country's North Island have been ordered to evacuate their homes due to the threat of flooding, landslides, and severe storm surges.

According to the National Weather Service, the cyclone, accompanied by heavy rain and wind gusts up to 130 km/h, is expected on Sunday. It will then move west of the remote Chatham Islands.

A state of emergency has already been declared in several regions. Authorities have ordered evacuations in parts of Whakatane, located approximately 430 km north of the capital, Wellington.

Whakatane Municipality has urged residents to be prepared to evacuate their homes for at least two days. Local authorities estimate landslides, storm surges, waves up to 13 meters high, and flooding are possible in coastal areas.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Lacson previously warned that the cyclone could cause significant damage and urged residents to prepare in advance, including clearing drains, checking on neighbors, and being prepared for power outages.

Vaianu's approach is evoking alarming associations in the country with Cyclone Gabrielle, which struck New Zealand in 2023. Eleven people died and thousands were forced to flee their homes.