Landslides in New Zealand Expose Gaps in Emergency Preparedness Amid Extreme Weather

The recent devastating landslides that struck a campground and a home at the base of Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, offer a stark reminder of the growing dangers posed by extreme weather—and the urgent need for robust emergency preparedness. As heavy rains battered large swathes of New Zealand's North Island, emergency crews rushed to rescue those buried beneath rubble, but their efforts have been hampered by unstable terrain and unclear casualty figures.Why Are Communities Still Vulnerable to Predictable Natural Disasters?Despite advances in weather forecasting and disaster management globally, this tragedy exposes critical vulnerabilities. Four people remain missing following two separate slides—one...