New Zealand: eight still missing after Gabrielle, as authorities eye two more potential cyclones

 New Zealand: eight still missing after Gabrielle, as authorities eye two more potential cyclones

Police continue search as forecaster says two tropical cyclones may form this week, though risk of direct impact on New Zealand is ‘relatively low’

New Zealand police are searching for eight people still missing, two weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle struck, as the nation’s weather forecaster said it was tracking two potential cyclones in the region and warned of “localised tornadoes” in parts of the North Island.

Police said early on Sunday: “The remaining number of people includes those who, for a variety of reasons, do not engage with authorities. Regardless, getting in touch with those remaining eight remains a priority for police, and our staff are exploring all avenues to try and locate them.”

Gabrielle hit the island’s northern region on 12 February and then battered the east coast, leaving at least 11 dead and displacing thousands. More than 6,000 were missing in the immediate aftermath of the storm, with communications disrupted in many areas, but that number has fallen in the wake of recovery efforts.

On Sunday, forecaster MetService said thunderstorms were possible in western parts of Northland and Auckland, and “a low risk they may produce localised downpours, and possibly a small and very localised tornado”.

It was possible that two tropical cyclones would develop in the week ahead, the forecaster said, adding: “At this stage, the risk of either directly impacting New Zealand is relatively low.”

The emergency agency for Auckland warned city residents to get ready for more rain, predicted to hit on Sunday evening. “The risk of thunderstorms and localised downpours over parts of the country increases tomorrow,” Metservice said.

Severe weather again hit the North Island on Friday, with heavy rain prompting more evacuations in Hawke’s Bay, one of the regions hardest hit by Gabrielle.

Storms triggered flash floods and evacuation warnings in and around Auckland, the nation’s largest city with a population of about 1.6 million.