New Zealand’s capital Wellington begins clean-up after flash floods

A clean-up began in New Zealand’s capital Wellington after flash flooding, sparked by heavy rain, hit the nation’s North Island.



“Severe weather has caused flood damage across the city,” said Hutt City Council, a government authority within the Wellington region, which has a population of over half a million.



“We know many people across Lower Hutt are dealing with flooding impacts and debris,” the council said, adding that crews were in the field cleaning up “hardest hit areas” in the suburb of Stokes Valley.



A state of emergency was declared in the Whanganui District 150km north, and 18 people were evacuated due to flooding, public broadcaster Radio New Zealand reported.