Overview

rain swept across the South Island overnight, causing road closures, river level alerts, and widespread power outages.Authorities are urging caution, especially for those near alpine rivers and vulnerable areas.

Road Closures and Travel Disruptions

state Highway 73 is currently closed in both directions between Jacksons and Turiwhate due to the adverse weather conditions. State Highway 6 between Whataroa and Harihari is operating under stop-go traffic management. Motorists are advised to check the latest road conditions before travelling. New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi provides real-time updates on road closures and traffic conditions.

River Level Alerts in Canterbury

Canterbury Regional Council has issued an alert for alpine riverbeds throughout the region. Rainfall in the headwaters of major alpine rivers – including the Waiau-uha, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Rakaia, Rangitata, and Waitaki – is causing flows to increase.These increased flows are expected to peak on Tuesday afternoon.

the council specifically advises farmers with land adjacent to flood-affected rivers to proactively move livestock to safer ground. This preventative measure aims to minimize potential losses due to flooding.

Power Outages and Cancellations

Hundreds of homes experienced power outages on Monday as a direct result of the severe weather. Several flights and ferry services where also cancelled, causing disruption to travel plans. Power outage data is available on the Orion website.

Affected River Systems – Key Data

The following table details the major river systems currently under observation. Flow rates are expected to increase throughout Tuesday afternoon.