Deadly mudslides and floods engulf New Caledonia

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Heavy rains and strong winds have destroyed homes and left at least three people dead — including two children — in New Caledonia.

Eleven people were reported missing on Tuesday after torrential rain triggered landslides. But this number could change because it’s extremely difficult to come by information.

Floods hit hardest around the town of Houailou where rain has been battering since the weekend and two mudslides occurred.

The two mudslides hit Ouakaya and Gouareu, located in mountainous areas.

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Gaël Detcheverry via Twitter
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Gaël Detcheverry via Twitter

All roads, electrical supplies and telephone lines to the area had been cut off and poor weather was stopping rescue helicopters from reaching the disaster zones.

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Gaël Detcheverry via Twitter

Images of the damage show corrugated roofs torn off homes, uprooted trees and riverbanks overflowing on the island territory.

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via Twitter

Five homes had been swept away and several children were among the missing. A further five people were injured.

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via Twitter

And there is no weather change in view: ‘The chance of weather conditions improving in the coming hours is not good,‘ said the government in a statement.

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via Twitter

Low-lying islands in the South Pacific are especially concerned about an increase in extreme weather.

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