2 Jul 2013

Otago rivers rising rapidly as snow melts

10:32 pm on 2 July 2013

The Otago Regional Council is warning rivers could flood again, this time from rapid snow melt.

Warm north-westerly winds of up to 130km/h have buffeted Otago high country areas that were still deep in snow from a major storm two weeks ago.

Rain from that storm flooded North Otago, and low parts of the Taieri Plain near Dunedin are still under water.

Melting snow has quickly pushed the Taieri River and Central Otago's Manuherikia River past first flood warning alarms.

Otago Regional Council duty flood manager Jacob Williams says there is potential for the Shag River and other North Otago waterways to rise rapidly.