Powerful storm triggers threat-to-life warnings in New Zealand

A powerful storm has swept across New Zealand's South Island, triggering "threat to life" warnings as authorities prepare for severe flooding, landslides and hazardous river conditions.

New Zealand's MetService has issued rare red heavy rain warnings for parts of Marlborough, Canterbury, Dunedin and Clutha, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Officials said rainfall rates could reach between 15 and 25 millimetres per hour in some areas, particularly in mountainous regions and warned that the severe weather could make roads impassable, disrupt transport and leave some communities cut off.

In Dunedin, they advised residents to remain at home unless travel is essential and to follow updates from emergency authorities. Flood barriers have been installed, sandbag collection points opened, and evacuation centres set up.

MetService also forecast heavy snowfall above 800 metres in parts of South Canterbury, while gale-force winds are expected to continue affecting exposed inland and coastal areas.

The weather system is forecast to remain over the region until the middle of the week before moving north, with additional impacts possible across parts of the North Island, including the capital, Wellington.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov