Hundreds of flights cancelled and power knocked out as storm batters New Zealand

Hundreds of flights cancelled and power knocked out as storm batters New Zealand National weather agency warns of heavy rain and winds up to 120kph - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments A storm battered central New Zealand on Friday, knocking out power to thousands of households, triggering floods and landslides, and bringing air traffic to a standstill in the capital Wellington. The national forecaster Met Service issued multiple severe weather warnings as a low-pressure system swept across the country. It warned of heavy rain and gusts up to 120kph after recording winds exceeding 150kph in parts of the country overnight. The storm forced the cancellation of 200 flights in and out of Wellington. “Most flights in and out of Wellington airport have been cancelled today, and most, but not all, scheduled flights this evening have also been cancelled," the airport said. “The winds are forecast to ease tomorrow which hopefully will allow flights to resume." Air New Zealand confirmed it had cancelled all domestic flights to and from the capital as well as all flights from the New Plymouth airport. “Services will only resume when it is safe to do so," the airline said. Wellington Electricity said 4,000 customers had lost power and warned that further outages could occur as wind speeds peaked in the evening. The utility said it had earlier restored power to nearly 3,000 customers. “It may take a few days, possibly into mid next week to restore power to all customers," it said on its website. Officials in Lower Hutt, northeast of Wellington, reported flooded roads and two landslides, with emergency services responding. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] Departures 15:19 Arrivals ligh Sched Doe Cate Ramark light Fron Sched D 58339 1500 S8268 tecbein 1430 1430 $4812 1515 1515 ancelie N2Z72 atan 1435 1445 NZ8733 1520 1520 QF161 1430 4532 58903 Westpa 1525 1525 KZA33 udtan 1510 1510 G121 aat 530 1530 N28312 Nebso 520 1.520 1530 150 Cancetied NZ5SE9 tanilte 8529 .525 12522 1540 1510 Cancetied Nagle 400 155 1005 rtban 1545 1609 QF164 sytrey 545 1630 Delayed Un 1630 2401 Aucdtare 1610 1420 650 240 1350 110 A 2852 2620 2831 1555 Canceliec 439 64 Gates 18-19 28256 Tararga 1600 K2873 64 1645 Lapler 1605 1609 A2441 1700 1700 2472 8630 1430 18262 70 700 1635 1635 C9E8S 1700 1702 GO Media westondesign NZU 650 Shower Air NZ Regional Lounge 13-17 Srtes5-12 Gates5-12 Gates5-12