Queenstown residents evacuated as flooding, slips threaten homes
Severe weather in New Zealand has caused widespread flooding and slips, leading to evacuations in Queenstown and road closures on State Highway 6. Residents have been displaced as infrastructure struggles to cope with the heavy rainfall.
Why it matters
The event underscores the increasing vulnerability of regional infrastructure to extreme weather events, impacting local communities and travel.
Two cars and their occupants have been freed after spending a chilly day trapped between slips on State Highway 6 near Wānaka .
There have been more than 20 slips, many of them substantial on the stretch between Lake Hāwea and Makarora.
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), said those stuck were able to drive out a short time ago with the help of roading contractors clearing a path through for them.
The spokesperson said they were in good spirits and one of them had rugged up and watched Lord of the Rings to pass the time.
One of the cars had been at the northern end of the road and the other at the southern end, they said.
The section of SH6 would remain closed all weekend, NZTA said.
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