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Thousands left without power as Cyclone Gabrielle lashes New Zealand's North Island

Evacuations are ongoing in many areas

Cyclone Gabrielle People watch as waves crash against a sea wall at an Auckland beach as a cyclone hits the upper parts of New Zealand | AP

The worst is expected with Cyclone Gabrielle lashing through New Zealand's North Island. Rising flood waters, power outages has affected thousands of families in North Island. Cyclone Gabrielle has sparked evacuations in many areas.

Around 46,000 homes have lost power, reported BBC.

With heavy rain and winds expected, authorities have already issued warnings. Some of the areas have been declared a state of emergency.

Even some of the flights have been canceled.

Recently Auckland and surrounding areas were hit by heavy rainfall causing floods and claiming four lives.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced an aid package of NZ$ 11.5 m. "Extreme weather event has come on the back of extreme event. Things are likely to get worse," said Hipkins.

While briefing the media on Monday, emergency management minister Kieran McAnulty told that the government is considering declaring a national state of emergency.

State of emergency has already been declared in five northern regions including Auckland.

According to New Zealand's meterological agency, Metservice said Whangarei, a city north of Auckland had received 100.5 mm rain in the past 12 hours, reported BBC.

McAnulty added that Monday would be a "critical day" due to the "highly dangerous" combination of high winds and heavy rain.

Though cyclone is expected to make its landfall on Monday midnight, it has already damaged roads, toppled trees and affected power lines.

McAnulty warned that it could take days to restore the power grid.

The authorities have warned people from travelling during these crucial days.

Also, reportedly about 10,000 international Air New Zealand customers were disrupted by the cancellation of several flights. Normal services is expected to resume on Tuesday.

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