An earthquake measuring 6.3 in magnitude has hit New Zealand’s South Island, hours after an initial quake killed two people.
The new tremor struck at 13:45pm local time (00:45 GMT) at a depth of 10km (6 miles), northeast of Christchurch.
A large river dammed up by a landslide has now breached its banks sending a “big wall of water” downstream.
Residents around the Clarence River – among the greatest on South Island – are being urged to proceed immediately to higher ground.
There happen to be hundreds of aftershocks that were strong, causing cuts and electricity deficits since the first quake.
GeoNet, a government-funded job monitoring quakes, said the first earthquake was actually two tremors that were associated, and that aftershocks would continue over the next few weeks and months.
After being evacuated from nearby buildings following an earthquake on 14 November 2016 in Wellington, New Zealand folks wait,
Authorities have now been rescuing and evacuating residents along the east coast.
New Zealand media reported that a 100-year-old girl and her daughter in law were pulled out alive in the town of Kaikoura from their dwelling, after the house collapsed in the first quake. The younger woman’s husband died.
A girl also died southwest of Kaikoura, at Mount Lyford, though there are reports she may have died from an existent medical condition.
Waves of around 2m (6.6ft) strike the coast shortly after the first quake. Authorities have since lifted the tsunami alert, but are warning people to stay away from the coastline.
Residents in Christchurch and surrounding towns have rushed to stock up on basic supplies. Some schools in the affected region have remained shut on Monday.
