Wellington waterfront closed as severe winds knock cyclists off bikes

<p>Gusts strong enough to blow cyclists off their bikes have shut part of Wellington’s waterfront this afternoon as a fast-moving front that dumped 154mm of rain on Milford Sound sweeps north.</p> <p>MetService has issued strong wind and heavy rain warnings for most of the South Island and parts of the lower North Island, with police closing a stretch of Oriental Parade and Evans Bay Parade due to severe winds.</p> <p>"There have been reports of multiple people falling from bicycles, and wing mirrors being blown off cars," police said.</p> <p>"The road around the point is being closed from Carlton Gore Rd in Oriental Bay, around to Rata Rd in Haitaitai where it intersects with Evans Bay Parade."</p> <p>Wellington Airport said around 20 arrivals had been cancelled due to wind so far, with that number likely to rise.</p> <p>"We advise passengers to check directly with their airline for information on specific flights."</p>…