Wellington: Parts of New Zealand’s South and North Islands were hit by damaging winds on Thursday, prompting widespread disruption, power outages, and a state of local emergency declaration in Canterbury after rare Red Warnings were issued.

According to the national weather authority, MetService, Red Warnings, the highest level of weather alert, were issued on Wednesday morning for Canterbury and Wellington.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the Thursday event was stronger and more widespread than earlier in the week. “Thursday had a similar but stronger flavor. While some areas escaped the impacts earlier, these winds were more widespread and affected places that don’t often see strong winds,” Makgabutlane said, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Wednesday afternoon,

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