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Heavy rains on the west coast of the South Island have caused “substantial landslide” south of Haast and surface flooding along parts of the region’s main highway.
About 90 millimeters of rain fell Monday morning, with another 120 to 170 millimeters expected in the afternoon and evening, said Metservice meteorologist Lewis Ferris.
Two heavy rain warnings were posted for the area and rain was expected to continue to fall on Tuesday.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said the landslide on the road connecting the west coast to Otago was “substantial.”
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The landslide covered both lanes and occurred at Burke Flat, between Haast and Makarora.
Robyn Edie / Stuff
There was surface flooding in some places along a 200 km stretch of SH6 between Haast and Hokitika on Monday (File photo).
As rain continued to fall in the area, the road was not yet safe for contractors to begin cleaning it up. It would be closed overnight, and NZTA would provide an update at noon on Tuesday.
There is no easy detour for those who want to travel from the south west coast to Otago.
Drivers have to cross into Canterbury and down the east coast of the South Island to reach Otago.
Other parts of SH6 were affected by the rains.
To the north of the landslide, heavy rains had caused surface flooding along a 200-kilometer stretch of road between Haast and Hokitika.
There was also a risk of snowfall near the top of the Haast Pass.
Ferris said rain on the West Coast would peak Monday, but continue Tuesday.
There was an increased risk of thunderstorms on Tuesday, which could bring strong gusts of wind, small hail and snow in areas above 600 meters.
The rain would clear Wednesday, Ferris said, but another front would bring more wet weather Thursday.
The road to Milford Sound is also closed
Meanwhile, an avalanche hazard shut down SH94, which connects Te Anau with Milford Sound, on Monday.
Ferris said about 236mm of rain had fallen on Milford Sound in the 24 hours to 3pm Monday,
The rain is forecast to turn to snow overnight, and the top of the highway is expected to receive 35 to 18 inches of snow before 7 a.m. Tuesday, it said.
NZTA confirmed that the road closure “due to high avalanche risk” would be in place overnight Monday, with an update expected at 7.30 am Tuesday.
