Published 12:26 IST, January 2nd 2020
New Zealand snow-capped mountains turn brown from Australian bushfires
The icy white glaciers in New Zealand's South Island have turned brown after being exposed to smoke, dust and ash from the deadly Australian bushfire crisis.
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The icy white glaciers in New Zealand's South Island have turned brown after being exposed to smoke, dust and ash from the deadly Australian bushfire crisis. Internet users have shared shocking photographs and videos on different social media platforms which showed the impact of the drifting smoke on some of the country's magnificent and pristine attractions. The pictures taken from the Southern Alps showed the smoke haze had tinged the snow-capped mountain peaks and glaciers a shade of 'caramel'.
This the view from the top of the Tasman Glacier NZ today - whole South island experiencing bushfire clouds. We can actually smell the burning here in Christchurch. Thinking of you guys. 😢#nswbushfire #AustralianFires #AustraliaBurning pic.twitter.com/iCzOGkou4o
— Miss Roho (@MissRoho) January 1, 2020
— Fabulousmonster (@Rachelhatesit) January 2, 2020
While speaking to an international media outlet, Met service forecaster Cameron Coutts said that the last couple of days the fires in Australia have picked up in their intensity and produced a significant amount of smoke. He further added that the smoke is not really affecting people on the ground level at the moment, even though it is quite thick. A satellite note issued by the Bureau of Meteorology reportedly also said that the extensive smoke haze has been seen across eastern NSW and Victoria and it further extends both northwards and Queensland and also extends from the North Central Coast of NSW across the Tasman Sea.
Extensive bushfire smoke from #EastGippsland and southeastern #NSW has travelled over the #TasmanSea and is now affecting the south island of #NewZealand. Latest at https://t.co/JzdVx3m1rH pic.twitter.com/DASVmBCjzh
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) January 1, 2020
Hazy sunrises for the North Island today! The main band of smoke has moved north from yesterday, while another band of smoke lingers over the South Island. ^Tahlia pic.twitter.com/eafnnsu89q
— MetService (@MetService) January 1, 2020
Military deployed for evacuation
Australian authorities have also deployed military and navy to evacuate tens of thousands of people stranded on popular seaside towns of the east coast. The east coast seaside towns are known for being a tourist hotspot and the recent bushfires have forced both the holidaymakers and residents to flee the region. According to authorities, more than 200 bushfires are active across the southeastern states of New South Wales and Victoria.
12:26 IST, January 2nd 2020