Top pick: Over 260 million people in USA will be either obese or overweight by 2050, reveals new study
Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 20 Feb 2018
Christchurch: A state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand's Christchurch city, where Cyclone Gita is expected to make landfall.
The storm, which has pummeled Tonga and Fiji, is expected to enter New Zealand on Tuesday.
Keeping in mind the lurking danger, schools have remained shut.
#Gita now starting to lose the characteristics of a tropical cyclone, but still expected to bring severe weather to parts of New Zealand tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/duT2JO1DmJ
— Met Office Storms (@metofficestorms) February 19, 2018
However, the storm has downgraded significantly, though residents have been told to brace for floods and winds of up to 150km/h.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said, "The full impact of the storm will be felt overnight and tomorrow morning."
In Tonga, the storm was categorised as a cyclone and inflicted severe damage.
It was deemed the worst cyclone to hit the country in six decades.
Image: twitter.com/metofficestorms