Communities across Te Wai Pounamu are facing a deepening flood emergency after severe weather triggered widespread flooding, road closures and the declaration of a local state of emergency in the Waitaki District.
Public health physician Dr Lily Fraser says the unfolding event is another reminder that extreme weather is becoming an increasingly significant challenge for communities across Aotearoa, bringing not only immediate risks to life and property but also long-term health and wellbeing impacts.
The Waitaki District declared a state of emergency as heavy rain caused rivers to rise rapidly, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting transport links. Emergency services, Civil Defence and local authorities have been working with affected communities as weather warnings remain in place.
Dr Fraser says while the immediate focus is on protecting lives and ensuring people can reach safety, the health impacts of flooding often continue well after the rain has stopped.
Floodwaters can contaminate drinking water supplies, damage homes, interrupt access to healthcare and medicines, and leave communities dealing with significant emotional and financial stress. She says older people, tamariki, people with disabilities and those living with chronic health conditions are often among the most vulnerable during major weather events.
She says flooding also creates mental health pressures that can persist for months or even years, particularly for whānau who experience repeated natural disasters or face uncertainty about rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.
The severe weather has also disrupted farming communities, with concerns growing about damage to farmland, stock, transport infrastructure and rural businesses across affected parts of the South Island.
Dr Fraser says climate-related events are placing increasing pressure on both communities and health services, requiring greater investment in emergency preparedness and resilience planning.
She believes future planning must extend beyond responding to disasters and include measures that reduce community vulnerability before severe weather strikes. That includes resilient infrastructure, stronger flood protection, improved emergency communication and ensuring health services remain accessible during emergencies.
She says Māori communities have long understood the importance of environmental stewardship and adapting to changing conditions, with mātauranga Māori offering valuable knowledge that can strengthen emergency planning and climate resilience.
Dr Fraser says supporting whānau during recovery is just as important as the emergency response itself. Recovery involves restoring homes, reconnecting communities, protecting mental wellbeing and ensuring people have ongoing access to health and social support.
As emergency crews continue responding across Te Wai Pounamu, authorities are urging residents to stay informed, avoid flooded roads and follow Civil Defence advice while the severe weather continues.
With climate scientists warning that extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent and more intense, Dr Fraser says New Zealand must continue investing in resilient communities capable of responding to increasingly unpredictable weather while protecting the health and wellbeing of future generations.
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