MUSCAT: New Zealand declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday as Cyclone Gabrielle causes widespread flooding, landslides and huge ocean swells. This is the third time in the history of the country that a national state of emergency has been declared. According to a statement by New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins at a news conference, Australia and Britain have pledged their support at this time of need.

Cancelled flights have stranded thousands of people, many on rooftops, while evacuations are underway. At 5 AM (GMT), the cyclone moved southeast of Auckland, near the east coast of the country’s North Island, and was expected to continue moving southeast, roughly parallel to the coast. Weather warnings remained in place for much of the east coast of the North Island and upper South Island.