New Zealand 'War Zone': Two Dead, Missing After Torrential Rains

Two people are dead and several are missing after devastating landslides hit New Zealand's North Island. The disaster was triggered by extreme rainfall that caused widespread destruction. A government minister described the affected region as looking like a "war zone." The severe weather has washed out roads, damaged homes, and cut power to communities. Emergency services are conducting search and rescue operations for the missing individuals. The heavy rains have now eased, but officials warn that the danger from unstable land remains high. Authorities are urging residents to follow evacuation orders and avoid unnecessary travel. The full scale of the damage is still being assessed.