Dunedin Faces Historic Flooding and Evacuations

Dunedin, New Zealand, experienced its wettest day in over a century, receiving more than 130mm of rain within 42 hours, leading to significant flooding and road closures. A local state of emergency has been declared as the city remains cut off due to flooding, affecting essential services and prompting over 80 residents in low-lying areas to seek refuge in emergency shelters. The main highways into Dunedin are expected to stay closed until Saturday, with additional road closures caused by landslides. NIWA reported that the rainfall was nearly two and a half times the average for October, marking the most rainfall recorded since April 1923. Authorities have urged residents to avoid travel unless necessary, as further rain is forecasted, increasing the risk of slips and flooding. Emergency Management Otago has advised residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate to higher ground as conditions remain precarious.