NZDF sends more help to flood-stricken Canterbury and Otago

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) mobilised 200 more troops overnight to help flood-stricken areas in Canterbury and Otago.

“We are working with civil defence authorities to make sure people in affected areas get the help that they need,” Brigadier Mike Shapland, the Land Component Commander, said.

“We have personnel and assets on standby and can mobilise them at short notice, if needed.”

Brigadier Shapland said a gruelling 26-kilometre race up the highest peaks surrounding Dunedin that was organised by the 2nd/4th Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) had been cancelled and all 200 NZDF personnel taking part had been reassigned to support the disaster relief efforts.

Eight members of the Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 Scots), who are here for the Twin Peaks Battle Tab race, have also been helping in the relief efforts.

Lieutenant Cam Howell, who is leading the 20-member NZDF contingent in South Canterbury, said soldiers assisted paramedics in evacuating an elderly man suffering from chest pains south of Timaru just before midnight Saturday.

He said five trucks left at 5am to patrol flooded communities in South Canterbury throughout the day and ensure the residents have evacuated to safer ground. Two NZDF trucks conducted similar patrols from midnight until dawn on Saturday.

In Dunedin, soldiers rescued last night nine civilians whose vehicles were caught in floodwaters in Mosgiel.

“We found them in the nick of time; they were suffering from hypothermia,” Major Keryn Robertson, Officer Commanding of the Bravo Company RNZIR, said.

The NZDF has so far deployed at least a dozen trucks, an ambulance and over 200 soldiers to help tackle the floods in Canterbury and Otago. Two of the trucks were dispatched to Oamaru last night to bring 1000 sandbags and six civilian firefighters.