WELLINGTON, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Warships from Australia, Canada and the United States have arrived at the quake-stricken town of Kaikoura to help with the relief operation, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said on Thursday.
Their arrival came as attempts to reach the town by land suffered a setback from fresh landslides and worsening weather.
Australian frigate HMAS Darwin, Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver and U.S. destroyer USS Sampson arrived overnight with New Zealand navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha.
The ships, with total crews of about 660 and carrying four helicopters between them, would help in the cleanup, deliver vital aid supplies and assist in welfare checks in isolated communities in the area in the northeast of the South Island, said Major General Tim Gall, the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand.
"The ships, crews and maritime helicopters provided by our partner militaries have given us a great deal of flexibility in supporting the national relief effort," Gall said.
Kaikoura, a major tourist destination, was cut off in Monday's 7.5-magnitude quake when massive landslides wiped out road and rail links to the town, although the southern road was opened to emergency vehicles on Wednesday.
Poor weather, further cracks on the road and risks of further landslides halted a convoy of 27 NZDF trucks that left Christchurch Thursday, carrying vital aid supplies for quake-damaged communities.
Another survey would be conducted before the convoy was allowed to proceed to Kaikoura, said Gall.
Aid supplies, including food, medicines and portable toilets, were being loaded into supply ship HMNZS Canterbury, which evacuated around 450 people out of Kaikoura Wednesday and would return to Kaikoura Thursday.
New Zealand air force helicopters evacuated another 60 people and delivered two tonnes of aid to Kaikoura, bringing to about 660 the total number of people evacuated from the quake-damaged town.
The foreign warships were in New Zealand to take part in celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the New Zealand navy, but they were redirected to support the quake relief operation.
The NZDF has mobilized about 560 personnel, at least 11 aircraft and four vessels to support the earthquake response.
Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management Director Sarah Stuart-Black said only people who did not express a wish to be evacuated were remaining in Kaikoura, and the evacuations to Christchurch would continue.
"Many evacuees are foreign visitors and embassies from their countries were there to greet and comfort them. Embassies include Australia, (South) Korea, UK, Germany, France, USA. and Japan," Stuart-Black said.
"Due to deteriorating weather, there is now some flooding risk in Kaikoura. Teams working to open the inland road have now been pulled out due to unsafe conditions," she said.
Homes along the nearby Ure River were also being evacuated as landslide dams had blocked the flow of water, she said.
Two people were killed and about 1,000 tourists were stranded in Kaikoura when the quake struck just after midnight on Monday.