Flood in New Zealand

A state of local emergency was declared on 10 July after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding across the Nelson Tasman region in New Zealand.

Approximately 800 homes were damaged, and more than 3,000 people were left without electricity. Multiple cell sites remained inoperable, disrupting communications. Schools and nurseries were forced to close, and the agriculture sector suffered significant losses due to destroyed crops. No deaths were reported at the time.

The flooding also severely impacted infrastructure. Fifty roads remained closed, and a water tanker was deployed in Kaiteriteri after a pipeline break cut off the community’s water supply. Widespread wastewater overflows affected the district, and residents were advised to treat all surface water as contaminated. Emergency services made significant efforts to reach isolated communities, particularly Tapawera.

Residents began assessing the damage, while the government indicated that cleanup and restoration efforts were expected to take several months.