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State of emergency lifted in New Zealand islands after cyclone

Xinhua, March 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

A four-day state of emergency in a tiny island community east of the New Zealand mainland was lifted Thursday as it emerged from the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Pam.

The Chatham Islands a small group of islands about 750 km east of the South Island and home to about 600 people was put under the state of emergency on Monday as emergency services battled a spate of rural fires and the cyclone bore down on the community.

Chatham Islands Mayor Alfred Preece said in a statement Thursday that the cyclone has passed and the last remaining wildfire on the islands remains contained.

Large waves continued to batter the islands, but they were easing gradually after causing major damage to two wharves, he said.

Pam brought heavy rain, severe gales and huge waves to the east of New Zealand's North Island this week.

More than 100 people were evacuated from their coastal homes when the storm hit Monday and the army was put on standby to help with rescue and relief operations. Endi