Flooding in Auckland (NZ) due to heavy rain

Heavy rainfall has flooded parts of the New Zealand city of Auckland. So much rain fell in a short time that the sewage system could not process the large amount of water.

An unknown number of people had to be evacuated, especially from lower areas of the city. According to local media, a number of people are still trapped in their homes.

Emergency services have turned out en masse to save people:

Auckland residents have been called on not to take to the road by car because many roads are flooded. In several places, people got stuck with their vehicles. Emergency services had to rescue the drivers. Flights to and from Auckland have been canceled or diverted.

Due to the heavy rain, a concert by British singer Elton John had to be canceled at the last minute. According to the organizer, the situation on the site is too dangerous. Thousands of people had to turn back in the rain.

The concert had to be cut short earlier because Elton John had lost his voice during the performance. Emotional he then left the stage.