ISTANBUL

Thousands of people in New Zealand have been affected by the power outage, along with closed schools and roads caused by the heavy snowfall.

Warnings remained in place on Friday in Otago and Canterbury regions on the South Island, Radio New Zealand reported.

Transport Agency units in Otago, which saw around 15 centimeters (nearly 6 inches) of snow, worked tirelessly to revive power networks, it said.

Half of the electricity connection has been restored, the report added.

The agency cautioned people on the roads, as the state highways remain blocked.