More strong winds are on the way for the South. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Heavy rain and strong winds are expected in the South Island today.
MetService has issued orange weather warnings and a series of watches for large parts of Te Waipounamu today through until tomorrow.
The headwaters of the Otago Lakes and Rivers is under a heavy rain warning from 2pm today until 9am tomorrow morning.
Up to 120 millimetres of rain is possible in the region during that period, with peak rates of between 10 to 20 millimetres an hour tonight.
MetService is also warning of possible thunderstorms.
It is asking residents in those areas to avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
MetService has also issued an orange wind warning for Canterbury High Country and north Otago from 8pm tonight until 11am tomorrow morning.
Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures is possible, MetService said.
It was cautioning residents that severe gales may also return on Monday night.
The rest of Otago, Southland and Fiordland are all under a strong wind watch until tomorrow morning.
MetService also issued a heavy rain watch for Westland south of Haast, Fiordland, and the Canterbury Headwaters south of Arthurs Pass.
The wild weather comes after almost the whole country experienced heavy rain or strong winds earlier in the week.
A slip is blocking State Highway 25A near Kirikiri Valley Road in Waikato. Police say traffic management is in place.
SH25A KOPU TO HIKUAI - SLIP - 1:55PM
— NZ Transport Agency - Waikato & Bay of Plenty (@nztawbop) September 1, 2024
SH25A is down to one lane, operating under STOP/GO traffic management, at a slip site west of Kopu. Expect delays and follow instructions given by crews on-site. ^CS pic.twitter.com/VgDtyJyoGi
Rain on the West Coast of the South Island caused a landslip in Greymouth's Arnott Heights, which forced the road into the suburb to close several times during the week as contractors work to clear the debris.
The Grey District Council was hoping the road would be able to reopen sometime after 2pm on Sunday, after rain caused further movement of the slip.
The rain also forced the council to issue a boil water notice for residents of the West Coast town of Blackball this weekend.
The council had also asked Blackball residents to conserve water.
