New Zealand: 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northwest Region, Tremors Felt In Wellington

An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hits New Zealand today i.e. on Wednesday. The earthquake occurred 78 km northwest of Lower Hutt, near Wellington, said the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

EMSC report on New Zealand’s quake

According to the EMSC, the tremors were felt at a depth of 48 km i.e. nearly 30 miles. The earthquake’s epicentre was 50 km from the town of Paraparaumu, it added. There were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property due to the earthquake.

New Zealand lies on the seismically active “Ring of Fire”, a 40,000-km arc of volcanoes and ocean trenches girdling much of the Pacific Ocean.

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State of emergency due to Cyclone Gabrielle

On Tuesday, the Kiwis declared a national state of emergency for only the third time in its history as Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread flooding, landslides and huge ocean swells, forcing evacuations and stranding people on rooftops.

Amid the cyclone hit, approx 2,25,000 people suffered power outages in the affected regions.

Speaking to the reporters, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said, “It has been a big night for New Zealanders across the country, but particularly in the upper North Island … a lot of families displaced, a lot of homes without power, extensive damage was done across the country.”

Moreover, the minister of emergency management, Kieran McAnulty said that while New Zealand was now through the worst of the storm, more rain and high winds were expected.

The country was suffering from extensive flooding, landslides and damage to roads and infrastructure, the minister added.

Cyclone Gabrielle weakens & moves away from New Zealand

However, on Wednesday, Cyclone Gabrielle weakened and moved away from New Zealand as the country started to assess the damage caused by significant flooding, landslides and high winds that left three people dead.