Latest news with #NZcivildefence
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Weather: Heavy rain, winds forecast to hammer South Island
The heaviest falls are expected in the Westland ranges with 180 to 220 mm of rain forecast. Photo: Supplied/MetService A number of weather warnings are in place for much of the South Island, as a front bringing heavy rain and gales moves across the country. MetService has issued orange heavy rain warnings for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers, the Tasman district north-west of Motueka, the Westland district and Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound from Wednesday. The heaviest falls are expected in the Westland ranges with 180 to 220 mm of rain forecast from Wednesday morning. In the Tasman district, between 150 to 200 mm of rain was expected about the ranges, with lesser amounts nearer the coast. In Otago, between 150 to 200 mm of rain was expected to fall about the main divide. MetService said surface flooding and slips were possible in those areas, and warned drivers to be aware of difficult driving conditions. Severe Weather Warnings and Watches issued for heavy rain and northwest gales over southern and central parts of Aotearoa New Zealand. ️️ All the details here @NZcivildefence @nztamain @tasmandc @nelsoncitynz @ECan Yellow rain warnings are in place for the ranges of Buller and Grey District. Buller District has a high change of being upgraded to a warning. Strong wind watches are also in place for the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington, the Canterbury High Country, the Queenstown Lakes District, Central Otago, Fiordland and Southland. Malborough Sounds has a high chance of being upgraded to a warning. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Al Jazeera
25-03-2025
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
Coastal warning issued after magnitude 6.7 quake hits off New Zealand
People living in coastal areas have been warned to get out of the water and move away from beaches after a strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand's South Island, authorities said. Residents of the Southland and Fiordland regions should stay away from marine areas as strong and unusual currents may present a danger, the National Emergency Management Agency said after the earthquake on Tuesday. 'People on boats, live-aboards and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials,' the agency said. More than 4,700 people felt the quake, government seismic monitor Geonet said, as New Zealand media reported items falling and buildings swaying. The quake was reported at a depth of 33km (21 miles) about 160km (99 miles) northwest of Snares Islands, the northernmost of New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands, Geonet said in an alert. We are assessing whether the M6.7 Southland earthquake has created a tsunami that could affect New Zealand. Go to for more information. — National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) March 25, 2025 'We had things fall off shelf. The outdoor wooden table dancing,' a user posted on Facebook, according to the New Zealand Herald newspaper. The United States Geological Survey said the quake, which was downgraded from an earlier magnitude of 7, happened at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles). Australia's national weather bureau said there was no tsunami threat to the mainland, islands or territories. New Zealand lies on the seismically active 'Ring of Fire', a 40,000km (24,854-mile) arc of volcanoes and ocean trenches girdling much of the Pacific Ocean.
