WELLINGTON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand's South Waikato region after a man died when his car became submerged in floodwaters amid severe overnight storms, officials said Saturday.
The man was found dead inside the vehicle on State Highway 39 near Puketotara late Friday after torrential rain caused widespread flooding across the Otorohanga district in Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island, police said.
About 80 people were evacuated from a camping site, marae -- traditional Maori community meeting place -- and several homes as rising waters inundated roads and properties.
Otorohanga Mayor Rodney Dow expressed his sadness over the fatality, urging residents to stay off flooded roads and seek safety if their homes were at risk.
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell said the government was mobilizing support for flood-hit communities, less than a month after severe storms battered the North Island and three years since Cyclone Gabrielle struck in 2023.
Authorities warned that more heavy rain and gale-force winds are forecast across the region over the weekend. Several key highways remain closed. ■