New Zealand declares emergency in Wellington as record rainfall triggers flash floods

Residents of Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, were urged to evacuate low-lying areas due to flash flooding triggered by record rainfall. A state of emergency was declared for the region on Monday afternoon as heavy rain continued to fall. Weather forecaster MetService upgraded its heavy rain warning to red, indicating a threat to life from dangerous river conditions and significant flooding. The city received 77mm of rain in less than an hour, surpassing its previous record. The flash floods occurred overnight, with Mayor Andrew Little stating that the heavy rainfall posed a significant risk to public safety. The emergency declaration aimed to protect residents and prevent further damage.