At least nine people have died following Cyclone Gabrielle, which has devastated large parts of New Zealand.

Nearly 5,000 people were registered by police as being out of touch with relatives, and the search continues for about 10 people who are still missing.

Authorities said around 62,000 households were without power nationwide – 40,000 of those being in Hawkes Bay, one of the hardest-hit regions.

New Zealand declared a national state of emergency for only the third time ever this week as Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Gabrielle was the country’s “biggest natural disaster” this century.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

He also warned the number of people declared dead in the disaster could rise as rescue teams try to reach hundreds of cut-off communities.

Intense rain caused the floods, power cuts and landslides and left many families displaced.

The cyclone hit the uppermost part of the North Island on Sunday and swept down the east coast, devastating Hawkes Bay.

Some 26 tonnes of supplies were being sent to the region’s coastal city of Napier as part of an aid effort, New Zealand’s navy said.

Evacuation centres provided shelter for almost 2,000 people in Hawkes Bay – though many are beyond the reach of emergency services, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Read more:
Child among four dead after Cyclone Gabrielle causes flooding and landslides
New Zealand declares national state of emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle causes major damage

Click to subscribe to ClimateCast wherever you get your podcasts

Meanwhile, Mr Hipkins said the response to the crisis was “still under way and there are people across the North Island working around the clock”.

The country’s air force said helicopters loaded with food and water were travelling to the stranded village of Tutira, about 65 miles (105km) further north.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Ben Green, Civil Defence group controller in Tairawhiti Gisborne, said: “We have our work cut out for us. We’re focused on securing a reliable water supply, reaching isolated people and re-establishing phone and internet connections.”

The cyclone hit on Sunday just two weeks after another fierce storm caused severe flooding and killed four people in the country’s largest city, Auckland.

Related posts:

‘I’m thinking someone’s going to come and kill us’: British national still in Kabul makes plea for help Novak Djokovic denied entry to Australia and faces deportation after visa cancelled amid vaccine exemption row Matt Le Tissier ‘steps aside’ from Southampton role after backlash over Ukraine tweet Thousands turn out for funeral of journalist killed during Israeli military raid Boy, 11, raped in front of his mother and now only communicates using black lines, says Ukraine South Korean president told to ‘shut his mouth’ by Kim Jong Un’s sister as she rejects economic aid Muslim woman raped by Hindu mob pleads for U-turn on ‘unjust’ decision to free her attackers What’s happening on Russia’s borders as Russians flee the country – and where is it happening ‘Danger to ships’ as gas leaks from Nord Stream 2 World chess champion brands teenage rival a ‘cheat’ British nationals volunteering in Ukraine reported missing Photos show downed Chinese ‘spy balloon’ being pulled from ocean