In New Zealand, Auckland residents are bracing for more downpours after record rains killed at least four people and triggered flash floods and landslides.

Auckland, February 1 (RHC)-- In New Zealand, Auckland residents are bracing for more downpours after record rains killed at least four people and triggered flash floods and landslides. 

New Zealand’s new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Monday global heating is to blame for the extreme weather.  He said: "Climate change is real.  It’s with us.  It’s having an impact on our weather.  We are seeing more of these extreme weather events.  We’re going to have to deal with more of these extreme weather events in the near future, and we need to be prepared for that.  And we need to do everything that we can to combat the challenge of climate change.”

Meanwhile, in Madagascar, at least 25 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced by a tropical cyclone that made landfall last week.  The storm also decimated crops and cut off major roads.