🔗 Share this article

Powerful winds reaching velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households lacking electricity and led agencies to halt over 100 flights, according to regional news sources.

The winds are influencing the whole southern region and southern parts of the northern region, according to the weather forecasting body.

The nation's agencies have released rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.

Residents have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.

Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response

This outage appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, although officials report that power was being restored progressively.

Local media have reported that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, and power lines and trees have been brought down by the winds.

In Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being impacted by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.

Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was captured in a viral dashcam video.

Aircraft services to and from the urban area have been cancelled due to the winds, while various routes and public facilities are also closed.

Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have announced a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.

Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Weather

These intense gusts on Thursday come as many of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been described as a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.

However the intense climate has compelled them to alter certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or abandoned.

Similar gusts are also sweeping Australia, causing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.

Agencies have issued fire bans for concern about bushfires.