Sharjah24 - Reuters: On Sunday, a week after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated New Zealand's North Island, the death toll from the storm reached 11, with hundreds more others still missing.
The cyclone hit the island's northernmost region on Feb. 12 and tracked down the east coast, inflicting widespread devastation. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has called Gabrielle New Zealand's biggest natural disaster this century.
On Sunday, police said two more people had died in hard-hit Hawke's Bay in circumstances related to the cyclone.
More fatalities are possible, Hipkins told reporters, saying 3,216 people had been determined to be OK, while police were trying to ascertain the status of more than 3,000 others.
Lives had been "turned upside down" by the disaster and recovery was a "steep mountain ahead", he said, pointing to disrupted telecommunications, shortages of fresh water and damaged roads still restricting access to some areas.
Supply chains were disrupted causing problems moving goods, many crops had been destroyed, and 28,000 homes were still without power, he said.
"The true extent of the devastation and loss become clearer with every passing day," the prime minister said.
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