Rains pounding New Zealand ease, more people forced from their homes

A view of flooding in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand, August 17, 2022. Paul Jennings/Handout via REUTERS 


(Reuters) - Torrential rains eased on Saturday in New Zealand's northern and central regions after four days of downpours forced hundreds of people from their homes, although there were 100 new evacuations overnight.

The South Island city of Nelson has been the worst affected, with hundreds of homes evacuated over the week, and some rendered uninhabitable. Towns in the North Island have also been cut off, as floods submerged roads and homes.