WELLINGTON, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam has unleashed severe weather across New Zealand's Northland and Auckland, leaving thousands without power and causing widespread damage as it tracks southward.

Heavy rain and strong winds have downed powerlines, felled trees, closed roads, and disrupted transport.

As of Thursday afternoon, around 5,000 properties in Northland remained without power, with Northpower, the electric power distribution company, warning repairs could take up to three days. At the storm's peak, over 8,700 Northland homes were affected, according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ).

Telecommunications were also impacted, with power outages affecting cellphone towers, RNZ reported on Thursday.

Air New Zealand cancelled multiple flights, and some Auckland ferry services were suspended. Motorists were urged to take care on the Auckland Harbor Bridge due to high winds, with the local council receiving 284 storm-related calls between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon, local media reported.

The storm is now moving toward Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and the upper South Island, prompting warnings for a wild and wet Easter weekend, according to MetService forecast. Enditem

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